■<^.N
./
HISTORY
OF
J
RAWFORD AND RICHLAND COUNTIES.
WISCONSIN.
toqetheu with sketches of theiu towns and villages, educational, civil, mili-
TAItY AND political HISTOKY; POKTRAITS OF PROMINENT PERSONS, AND
biographies of REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
<"y (_'
7
■ i-i^i-^-i.
EMBRACING ACCOUNTS OF THE PRE-HISTORIC EACES, AND A BRIEF ACCOUNT
OF ITS TERRITORIAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS.
ILLUSTRATED.
SPRINOFIELD. ILL.
lINrON PKBLISHINO COMPANT.
1884.
n . TO THE PIONEERS
f iV.^^
9)^ OF
'u
CRAWFORD AND RICHLAND COUNTIES.
THIS VOLUME IS
RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED,
WITH THE HOPE THAT YOUR VIRTUES MAY BE EMULATED AND YOUK TOILS
AND SACRIFICES DULY' APPRECIATED BY' COjMING
GENERATIONS.
.?7y
PREFACE.
This work was commenced, and has been carried forward to com])letii>n, witli a s])(MMlic
object in view, which was, to place upon record in a reliable manner and in pcnniiiiinl I'.om,
whatever incidents of importance have transpired within what are now the limits of Crawford
and Richland counties, since their first settlement. As preliminary lo the narrative j. roper, it
was thought best to give a succinct history of the State at large, including an account of its pre-
historic earthworks, of the early visitations of ti.e fui-trader and missionary, and of the jurisdic-
tions exerciseil over this region by different governments; also of the important incidents trans-
piring here wliile the Territory of Wisconsin was in existence. fThis part of the work is from
» the pen of Prof. C. W. Butterfield, of Madison./
In the general history of the two counties, as well as in those of their cities, towns and
villages, the reader will find that incidents, reminiscences and anecdote.' are recorded with a
variety ajtd completeness commensurate with their importance. Herein is furnished (and this is
said with confidence) to the present generation and to those which follow it, a valuable reflex of
the times and deeds of the pioneers. It has been truly said that "a people that takes no pride
in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything to be remembered
with pride by remote descendants." It is believed that, in the following pages, there is erected
to the pioneer men and women of Crawford and Richland counties a lasting monument.
The resolutions passed by Congress in 18Y6 in reference to the preparation and preservation
of local history, and the proclamation from the President recommending that those resolutions
be carefully observed, have met with the very general and hearty approval of the people. In-
deed, so acceptable has seemed this advice from our law-makers, that steps have already been
taken in almost every thoroughly organized community throughout the land to chronicle and
IV PREFACE
place in permanent form the annals of each neighborhood, thus rescuing from oblivion mncli
interesting and valuable information that is irretrievably lost each year tlirotigli the deatli of old
settlers, and the decay and ravages of time. It was thought there could be no good reason why
the history of Crawford and Richland counties should not be placed upon as enduring a founda-
tion as those of surrounding counties; and, to this end, no expense or pains has been si)arcd to
render it worthy the patronage of its citizens. A number of experienced writers upon local his-
tory under the guidance, and aided by C. W. Butterfield in Crawford county, and George A.
Ogle in Richland county, have had the work in charge from its inception to its close ; and, iipcjn
completion of their labor, before any portion of the manuscript was sent to the press, the whole
was submitted to county and town committees of citizens for revision, thus insuring correctness
and adding materially to the vulue of the book.
The labors of all engaged in this enterprise have been cheered by the cordial assistance and
good-will of many friends, so many, indeed, that, to attempt to name them, would, in this con-
nection, be impracticable; to all of whom, grateful acknowledgement;; are tendered. Tlie officers
of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, have, from the first, been unremitting in their en-
deavors to aid the undertaking. The press of both counties is entitled to sjiecial mention for their
help and encouragements so generously tendered.
UNION PUBLISHING COMPANY.
April, 1884.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
CHAPTER I.
PAGE.
PKRHISTOllIC AND SETTLEMENT 17
Kii'St Exploi-ntiim of tbe Northwest 18
VV seonsin visited by fur trailers iiml Jesuitmisslon-
aries 19
Kou tilling of Jesuit missions in Wisconsin 20
Wisnonsin unrler French domination 21
Wisconsin under English supreniaey 23
Wisconsiti as a part of the Northwest Territory 25
Wisconsin as a part of the Territory of Indiana 27
Wisconsin as a part of Illinois Territory 29
CHAI'TEU II.
WISCONPIN AS A TEKlirmUY.
Sieri-laiics
r Mi led Stales Attorneys
I'liited States Marshals
CHAPTEH III.
WISCONSIN AS A STATE
I'AOE
34
. . 35
35
35
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY. WISCON
.IN
CHAPTER I.
A IIEA. POSITION AND PHYSICAL FEATURES .
Area • ••
Position ;
Physical Eeatures
The Kivers of the County
CIIAI'TERII.
TOPOtiltAPHY ANDGEOLOGY
CHAPTER HI.
ANCIENT INHABITANTS
Mound Huilders
The Sioux
Sa<-s and Koxcs
Indian Conflicts within the County
The Winnebnsoes
CHAPTER IV.
EARLY EXPLOUATIONS
Expedition of I,i>uis .loliet
Expedition of Michael Accau
i:xpcditionof Dnluth
Perrol's Voyajre to the West
I,a I'erriert^ liuilds a Eort on LakcPopin
TheJourneyof Jonathan Carver .'.. .
Observatioiis of Major Pike
Up the Mississippi in isili
CHAPTER V.
THE W A U OF 1812-15
Anderson's Journal 1814
CHAPTER VI.
THE WINNEBAGO WAK
Murder of Gagaierand Lipcap
88
fc8
94
«5
99
103
129
129
13(1
132
132
132
133
140
142
147
1.54
I'.l'.l
199
I'
A Winnebajro debauch
The tirst battle of Dad Ax
Arrival of K-ovcrninent troops
ne-Kau-rav's imprisonment
.lames H. Lockwood's aeeountof the Winnebago War
Last act of the Wiunehajfo W»ir
Mrs. Coasm Cherrier's aeeountof the Uajfuierinur-
der '. ■
CHAPTER VII.
THE DLACK HAWK WAK
liattleof Stillman'sKun
IJattle of Pecatonlea
Haltlp of Wisconsin Heights
Itattle of Had Ax
Up and down the Mississippi before the Black Hawk
War
Death of Ulack Hawk
CHAPTER VIH.
UNITED STATES LAND SURVEYS
CHAPTER IX.
KV, V.
199
2011
201
3(11
211
220
22(i
227
282
236
238
253
257
284
PRIVATE LAND CLAIMS
CHAPTER X.
FIRST SETTLEMENT OF THE COUNTY 280
Of the first live settlers ^1
Names of early settlers 281
An unsolx-ed problem *81
W here the fl rst settiericnt was made ;W1
Firtrlv customs and habits 288
Crawford C(ninty in 18UB ^
Traditions and recollections of Prairie du Chlon 290
Settli-rs between l.siil and 1840 294
Residents who were livinif here in 183» 295
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE
Settlers in 1837, 1838 iind ISW 396
i^ioneer times 296
Incidents of pioneer history 299
Prominent pioneers 300
CHAPTER XI.
I'UIXEERLIFE
Tb(^ Ioh: cabin
I'loiieer iLirnitiirc. .
Primitive cookery.
Primitive tliresliing
Goinf*- to mill
Wild animals
307
307
308
309
CHAPTER Xir.
FlKSTTHlNGS
Milit-^ry road
The tirst school
Thirst postal arranjrcment
First Sunday School
First prot^&tant meetjny-s
CHAPTER XIII.
FORM A'L' ION AND OUGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY
AN n L( )f AT I N G TH E COUNTY SEAT
Forming- and naming the County
CHAPTER XIV.
MILlTAire OCCUPATION
• 'The French Fort"— a myth
The lirst Foit Crawford
William Harris < 'rawford
A reij?n of terror
A milder reign
The first Fort Crawford In 1833
Zachary Taylor
Notable events
313
3U
314
314
315
329
3:!9
334
334
3:a
336
337
337
337
CHAPTER XV.
TEKUITORIAL, STATE AND CONGKESSIONAL REP-
RESENTATION
Congressional delegates from Michigan Territory. . .
Congressional delegates from Wisconsin Territory. . .
Members of the Council of Wisconsin Territory
Members of the Assembly of Wisconsin Territory. . .
Constitniioual conventions
Members of the Senate
Members of Congress.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE COURTS, PAST AND PRESENT
A model justice
A lawyer ■ 'squashod"
First term of the County Court
A tribute to the late H. L. Dousraan
Territorial Circuit Court
Holding court under ditKcuItie^i
A special session of the Circuit Court
state Circuit Court \
' Circuit .judges.
County Court of Crawford County
Clerks of the Territorial Countj- Court
Clerks of the United S'ates District Court
Clerks of the State Circuit Court
CHAPTER XVII.
THE BAR, PAST AND PRESENT
Present County orticials
c;hapter XVIII.
RAILROADS.
3.5.5
3.55
355
355
3.56
3.5t)
357
358
359
363
.364
364
369
373
373
374
383
383
386
3«0
390
390
391
401
403
chapter XIX.
AGRICULTURE AND THE AGRICULTURAL SOCI-
ETY 408
CHAPTER XX.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION 423
CHAPTER XXt
PIONERK REMINISCENCES 430
My .bhn .-^hiiw 430
By .lames H. Lockwood 4.33
l!y William . I. Snelling 440
ByS.M. Palmer 467
CHAPTER XXII.
PAGE
THE SCHOOLS OF CRAWFORD COUNTY 470
CHAPTER XXIII. _
VARIOUS THINGS 475
A Pioneer Incident 475
The Vast Illimitable changing West 475
Crawford County, in 1873 477
The fur trade in Crawford County 479
In Memoriara 491
Attempted removal of the County Seat 492
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE WAR FOR THE UNION 495
Crawford County Pensioners 531
CHAPTER XXV.
THE NEWSPAPER PRESS .534
Prairie du Chien Patriot 534
The Crawford County Courier .535
The Prairie du Chien Leader 539
The Prairie du Chien Union 540
CHAPTER XXVI.
EARLY CUUNTV GOVER.VMENT 544
CHAPTER XXVII.
TOWN OF BRIDGEPORT 5.59
Recollections of Mrs. Joseph Atherton 5.59
Village OF Bridgepoht .562
Reminiscence of Theresa Barret te ? .564
CHAPTER XXVIII.
TOWN OF CLAYTON -573
Village OF SOLDiEU's GitoVE 580
Village OF Kingston 581
CHAPTER XXIX.
TOWN OF EASTMAN .588
CHAPTER XXX.
TOWN OF FREEMAN .594
DeSoto V1LL.1GE .598
Village OF I'EKRYViLLE 603
CHAPTER XXXI.
TOWN OF HANEY OH
Village OF Bell Centek 61.)
CHAPTER XXXII.
TOWN OF MARIETTA "20
Reminiscence of Nancy Wayne 624
VILI.AGE OF BOYDSTOWN 625
Village OF Georgetown 626
CHAPTER XXXIII.
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN— TOWN AND CITi.' 635
City OF Pbaikie DU Chien 637
CHAPTER XXXIV.
TOWN OF SCOTT 693
CHAPTER XXXV.
TOWN OF SENECA 712
Village OF Sr.NECA 717
Village OF Lynxville 719
CHAPTER XXXVI.
TOWN OF UTICA 728
N'lLLAGE OF MtH'NT >^TERLING 734
Village of Towehvillb 736
Village of Risixg Sus 739
CHAPTER XXXVII.
TOWN OF WAUZEKA 750
VILL.4GE OF WAUZEKA 732
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
/^
Ackorley, ,lohn
Adams, Thomas
Akin. Vininus E
Allen, .larob
Alien, .I.U.
Allen, Lemuel H
Ames, Boi'sev I*
Anns, Pliilenu
Arnistrohg, Samuel
Ateheson, ,Sr. William
Atherton, Josepli
liailey, Charles A
Uailey, Andrew
Itaker Isaac
Baker, Charles Wesley.
Itaker, George C
Halrirhard, A ,
Harry, J. S
Uarrette, Henry
linrrette, Sr. Peter
Uarrette, Charles
Itarrctte, Samuel
Karthdlomew, Peter...
Ilassett, Harvey
Itaxter, I)r
Iteach, Ale.vauder >I . .
lieaeh, S. S
Beaumont. William
Beeseeker, Andrew J.
Beekwar, Andrew
Beier, Georj^e
Benedict, Alonzo
Bensou, H. ,1
Bennett, Charles P
Biederman, C. Eliza...
liijfelow, J. S
Bishop, Blind T
Blair, A. V
Bonne.v, I^eonard
Bosch, Andrew
Bowen, Ethan A
Brace, P. It
Braman, Amos
Breidenbaeb, .Michael..
Briifgs, J.J
BrigKS, Darius \V
Brii-'ht, Thomas C
Bri^'htman, Prank
Hrower, Arthur
Brower, Thomas L... ,
Brown, S. L
Brunson, Alfred
Brunson, Ira B
Brunson, Emma
Urunner, H
Bull. Benjamin
Bullock, Walter U.. .
Burrell, ,Iohn
Burkholder, David
Biu-nett. Thomas P. ...
Bntterflell. LeRojT...
(]lallawav. J. M
Camplxll, Will G
Campltell. Peter
Camphell, .lamesE
Case, Lawrence
Casey, Dr
Caswell. Oliver A
Ca\'a, Louis
< iiya, Miteh»ll
Chapek, Prank ...
PAGE
.. eSiflhapek, Mathias ."^
.. 741 Christopheison, Sever
.. (iOli Chiircliill, GeorK-e W. ...
. . iS- Clark, Samuel Adams. ...
.. 0:14 Clemen tson, George
727 Coalljurn. Deitriek
60:i Coalburu, Charles F
. . 5(;7'Coleniau, .Johu P
7'.il Coleman, Harrison
. 7iiUjCollins, Kred. E
. . ofJliK Sonant, John
^,-^u;^ook, Pizarro
■ • l^ijilCopper, Ralph
■„.,^ Cothren, Montgomery M.
('urran. James .\
Curts, Jr., William . .
.581
5tB
5!)a
427
5B4
■iBJ
r)«4
Ottt
BOil
.505
428
4U1
42;)
4-W
.571
.5!>2
7«U
424
fi.S4
.5S:
lil8
724
805
;(».•
5'j:i
077
71J4
Dallam, James B
Daugherty, .1. W..
Davis, William
Davis, (ieorge W
Da.v, Jeremiah
Day, John
Dean, George
Dognan. Jr., James
Denio, Aaron
Dickson, William.
Dickson, Thomas
Dinioek, Redmond 0.
Dinr^dale. James
Dinszale, Dr
Dousman, Jane F
Dousiuan, llercules L
Doyli'. Peter
Drew, David
Duncan. Robert
Dutcher, William
Eastman, B. D
Eddy, Edward S...
Eitsert, Henry
;„;! Elliott, Edward C
s^jiElwee-, Dr
582
Evans, William H.
74'
; Evert, Fred.
■j^j^lEyers, , Robert.
.581
, Fairbanks, Harry.
J I'airlield, (ieorpre. .
l''anifclion. .lulius.
Ii'<2
(1
.5s:i
:!in
liHl)
3tti
42U
iSlt Ferrel, Stephen S
Feldnumn, John Nicholas.
Fenton, D. (i
Kerrel, James M
Ferrel, J. T
Feriell, S. S
r'u'-iFlsh, Seyniour
'-(),. Fisher, James. .. .
.'«,. Flint, Edwin
■ftori Folsom, John H. . .,
"■"'Foster, (ieorg.- W...
632;Fri>nk, AlphcusE...
402 Friedorieli, Marcus.
KiO Frltsche, Charles...
B77 Fuller, Charles S....
67»
428 Gale, George
741 Gander, David
722 Gander, G.J
722 Gardiner, Stephen..
7.50Garvey, Brothers...
688
585
70'
073
380
7as
702
70:i
617
572
420
722
IIOII
:18;5
74.S
no'.i
3!)2
03!
cm
74<i
424
097
723
7.5^|
402
725
724
685
580
428
■mA
:iOU
3D8
592
701
:«»7
42(1
08.5
60;;
701
4281
4i'li
on:
702:
4251
508 i
074
700
3!l:i,
02!l
028!
628'
5a5
5!ll
assj
072,
Olio
400
670
.567
400
3R4
58:j
584
629
088
Garvey, Robert
Gay, T. W
Go\ers, Chri.stoph. ,
Gilbert, William.. .
Glover, R. E
Graham. Jacob
Grelle. Charles
Grelle, Christopher
Guiekan, James.. ..
Haggerty, J. A
Haisted, L. C
Flalverson, Ole
Hamuierly. Leonard...
Hamilton, Henry... .
Harris, De.\terG
Harris. William..
Harrington, George E
Haz.en, Sanun'l
Helgerson, Henry
Helgerson, Martin... .
Helgersou, Thomas... -
Hunt, B. T
H\uiter, J. D
Hudlnit, I. D
Hurlbut, John J.
Hurlbut. John R... ...
Hutchinson, Buel E
Hughbanks, WilliaTn..
PAGE
72*'
'.. 747
. . 002
. . 702
, . 425
. . 705
. 074
.. 074
. . 0331
Levi, Albert
Levi, Nathan H.. ... .
Lewis, W. D. C
Lockart, Edward P
Lockwood, James H..,.
Lockwood, .lohn S
Lowry, Edward.
McAuley, William
MeCrillis. .loseph E
^,„!.MoCullick,L. II
;o"|MiT)(makl, James H .. ..
/ri McDonald, Jane
Ingham, James
.Tackson, Mortimer M.
Jaokson, Orson
Jacobia, George E
Jaeger, Fiederick
,Iames, Hi^nr.v T
Jetter. Jacob
Johnson, Daniel H....
.lobnston, John
,Johns<m, Ole
Jonet;, Joel Dart
740
742!
017
li.O
032
OSS
.501
I'll 1.5 1
.587
74>-
3061
.587
5421
7001
7IKI
393
708
383
68:
McDonald, William
McDougal, Charles. ...
McDougal.J. W
.McHarg, John
Mclnlyro, D:n ifl
Marsden.Sr., Thomas..
Marsdon.Jr., Thomas.
.Mason, Darius
.Mai hews, Charles A
Matibews, Richard G..
.Maynard. llc'nr.v <,:
Meimrd, Mary Ann
.\Ienges, Michael
Merrill, Willard
Merrell, William D ....
Miller, Andrew
Millar, H. C
Miller.G L
Miller.John
Miller. North ..
.Mills, A. E.
^f|.';iMills, Fergus..
^j,:jMills, George_
005
700
394;
Mills, Joseph T
Mindham. WilMam...
.Mitchell, Mahlon G...
•>nr,'Momo, Grtliriel
iJiV .M ontgomery, Archibald . .
5841
424
-Mook, David.
Kast, Henry CO . ...
Kast, Ira F
Kast, J. N
Kast, Jeremiah N
Kast, William V. N...
Kahler. Charles
Kelly, F. W
Ivenneson, Marstiii S.
Kenyon, Lewis
Kinder. J. It
King, Henry C
Kingsland, John S
King, Lynum
King, Rufus
Knops, John
Knowlton, Wiram. ..
Knutson, Ole
Newton, William
Newton, John A.
i Moore, Dr.
6:i4 Morgan, G
010 Morris, Robert
400; Mumtord, Charles N..
2|^flNewick, Walter
50;
ijS Niekcrson, Marcus F
i:.; Noggle, David...
,..;- Volan, Peter
.±; Norris, M. E ....
V'lj^Norris.T.n
i;:,. Nugent, Thomas
:J;j;lNnfer, Eli
087 otto, Henry . .
>Ar.E
. 601
. 692
. 617
, 673
. 391
070
3iii;
. 7:',o
. om
. 705
. 089
609
609
, 428
700
' 680
571
■571
42.5
6811
6tti
, .568
42.1
682
;»I4
537
759
42.3
401
706
725
747
720
400
385
704
740
74M
581
582
427
426
72:!
758
Patten, James.
H.
La Force, Louis. .
Lampkins, .X D
Langdon, William
l.alhrop. L. L
I.athriip, Piatt A
Laurence, Richard B
Lawrence, Thomas..
I^awson S
Learned, Charles.. .
Leclerc, Leander
Lester,, David K
Lester, Hern'v C
383
^''*'' Patten. J.
722 Pease, G. W
187 Peek, Cyrus
017 Peterson, Hoorer M
7.57 Peterscm, Nelson O
018 Peterson, Peter N . .
70<i Phillips, AnilrcwC .
aBlPhillips, A. D
5>V) Phillips, Friend A
393 Phillips, Abraham
;bi3 Pickett, Theodore F..
742 Pittsle.v,. lohn
749lPorter,C. V
VIII
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Portci-, Samuil C
Pose}', James
Putnam, James
RaflfauC, Jac
Ke te iieyer. A. H ..
Rice, Cliri8li-in
Hichardsoii. John G
Hk'bman, H. L
Kogvrs, Alfred A....
liDg-ers, Kdwai-d
Itojrers, Jonathan ...
Kosenhanni, S
Rounds. Charles R...
Rowan, M. \V
Kussell. A. (J
Rutter, John
Samufls, Alexander F .
Schumann. Theodore. . . .
Schweizer. iohn George.
."■'earlc. A. N
Sears. .Archibald
Sharman.Sr., William.. .
Sheridan, Philip
Sherwood, H. i
Sime, TostenT
t^mereina, Frank...
Smethurst, James..
.Smelhui>t. John
SiiiiUi. ( Icorge A . - . .
Smith, Ralph
Speck, Charles H ..
Spencer, J. R
Steele, Chauncey H .
Stefify, J
Steiger, Emil
Steiner, Adam
Stein er, John G
Sterling-, William T.,
St. Johns, Charles..
Stowell.J. L
Strayer, Jacob
».VOE
.58:3
74(1
600
689
617
7411
581
75B
401
702
630
746
42B
591
677
7:J0
4:;ii
58a
571 :
PACK
Thomas, O . B 392
Thompson, Ambrose T^i
Thompson, Edwin 741
Tichnor, Dealton . ..... 397
Tilmont, Joseph 684
Tower, John H 609
Tower,Jr.,John H 610
Trott, Hannah 599
True, Dr 428
Turk, James. . . 703
Turner, Samson 748
Vanderbelt, John .. ..
Van Vickie, Edson W.
Vaughan, Aaron C B..
Vaughan, O. P
Vaiighan, W. A
Viele,L. F. S
728
689
740
759
758
.397
Taft, Seymour 619, Wachter, George 687
Tat't, Sr., Alanson 618 Walton, J. B 400
Tallman, Nelson A 745 Walton, William B 704
Taylor, James 726, Wannemaker, Samuel L.. 631
PAGE
Ward.T.V 401
Wayne, James N 627
Wayne, Lewis 628
Wayne, Nathaniel 62S
Wayne, William 627
Webster, Baniel 397
Webster, Myron M 399
Weniger. Henry 691
Whalev. Edward A 678
Whittemore,J. F 586
Whitney, J.J 435
Widman, John G 760
Wilbur, George M 746
Wilcox, Joseph 398
Wilt, William 705
\V inegar, Ferdinand .593
Withee.A. B 726
Withee, Daniel 727
Wood,E. B 424
Wolcott,Alden E 728
Wright, E. M 681
Young, Alexander 604
Young, Henderson 701
PORTRAITS.
Brower, Thomas L 183
Case, Lawrence 217
PAGE PAGK
IDousman, H. L 285
Dousman, Mrs 286
PAGE
King, H. C 319
Merrill, William D 133
Otto, Henry.
PAGE
TABLE OF C ONTENTS.
IX
H 1 STORY OF RICH LAND CO UN 1 Y.
CHAPTER I.
PAGE.
INTKOIU'CTOllY "fil
Topography 7(J'^
Oiogiaphy imd Geology 702
CHAPTER H.
MOL'ND iiUILDEItS AND INDIAN OCCUPANCY 7r.B
CHAPTP^R in.
E A l{ I,Y S ETTLE M KNT Tll'l
(.)r;:finization of Ihc County 775
Fiist EycMits. 7711
CHAPTER IV.
COUNTY GOVERNMENT 7a3
CHAPTER V.
VARIOUS OFFICIAL MATTERS 7!W
CHAPTER VI.
PO1.ITICAL STATISTICS SU
CHAPTER Vn.
NATIONAL, STATE AND COUNTY REPRESENTA-
TION 823
Congressional 82)
Legislative 821!
County Clerk 827
Clerks of Court 828
Register of Deeds 828
County Treasurers 8:i0
Sheriffs 8;!1
County Judges Si3
Proseeuting Attorneys 8;j;j
County Superintendents 8;h
Cou nty Surveyors 834
Coroners 8;j.t
CHAPTER VIII.
THE COURTS OF HICHLAND COUNTY 8.!0
CHAPTER IX.
THE RAH OK RICHLAND COUNTY 858
CHAPTER X.
EDUC.\T10NAL 867
CHAPTER XI.
GOVERNMENT SURVEYS 8«!l
CHAPTER XII.
REMINISCENCES OF EARLY DAYS 873
BvLevIHouts 874
By William Wulllng... 876
Bv A. Hnseltine 878
BvSalma Rogers 881
PAGE.
By George H. Babb 882
ByA.L. Hateh 884
Byd.L.Laws 8K)
BvJ. M. Reid 886
By J. H. Waggoner 888
By .lanifs H. Miner 890
Bv Rev. John Walwortli 8!I2
By Rev. J. H. Mathers 893
By Mrs. Cvrus D. Turner 896
By IsraelJanney 898
CHAPTER XIII.
WAR FOR THE UNION iKB
CHAPTER XIV.
930
THE HONORED PIONEER DEAD
CHAPTER XV.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION 940
CHAPTER XVI.
RAILWAY AND TELEGRAPH LINES 948
CHAPTER XVII.
DARK DEEDS 9.J1
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE PRESS 9fil
Richland Count J' Observer , 962
Riehland Counlj' R epublican 964
Republican and Observer 964
'I he Live Republican 965
The Observer 966
Satt's Pine River Pilot 906
The Richland Democrat 966
The Uii hland Rustic 967
Uiihland County Democrat 907
The Zouave 967
The Sentinel 908
Thr 1 11.1. -pendent 968
The Richland Union Democrat 988
Lone Rock Pilot 970
CHAPTER XIX.
TOWN OF AKAN 971
CHAPTER XX.
TOWN OF BLOOM 981
ViLi.AOK OF Sphi NO Valley 98:!
Village OP West Li.MA 981
CHAPTER XXI.
TOWN OF BI'ENA VISTA 989
Richland City 993
Lo.vE Rock 994
CHAPTER XXII.
TOWN OF DAYTON 1012
Village OF BoAz 1015
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXIII.
PAGE.
^ TOWN OF EAGLE 1023
CHAPTER XXIV.
TOWN OF FOREST ]{M3
Village OF VioL.\ 104.5
CHAPTER XXV.
TOWN CF HENRIETTA 1031
Early St-ttlement 1051
Eflucatioiial 10.W
Religious 105i
Village OF Woodstock 10.56
ViLLAGf; CF i'DB.l 1058
CHAPTER XXVI.
TOWN OF ITHACA 1070
Early Settlement lOTO
Religious lOTB
Elucational 1078
Organic 1079
Village OF Pktf.ksuurg 1080
Village OF Neitune 1080
Village OF Ithaca 1081
Village of Se.xtonville 1083
CHAPTER XXVII.
TOWN OF MA USH ALL 1107
Early Settlement 1107
First Things 1109
Educational 1110
Religious 1111
CHAPTER XXVIII.
TOW.v OF OlilON 11.30
Enrlv Settlement 11.50
FirstTliings 1132
Educational 1I3;;
Religious 1132
VILL.AGE OF Obion llSl
CHAPTER XXIX.
TOWN OF RICHLAND 1U7
Richland Center 1149
The Beginning .. 1149
Business Development 1151
Business Directory 1153
Industrial Enterprises 11.56
Village GoTcrnment 11.57
Temperance Movement 1166
page.
Educational 1169
Religious 1170
Societies 1173
CHAPTER XXX.
TOWN OF RICH WOOD 1216
Early Settlement 1210
First Events 1217
Industrial Enterprises 1318
Religious 1219
Educational 1219
ViLL.tGE OF Port Andrews 1220
Village OF Excelsior 1221
CHAPTER XXXI.
TOWN OF ROCKBRIDGE J237
Early Settlement 12:i7
Organic 1241
Educational , 1242
Religious 124;)
Items of Interest 1244
Village of Rockbridge 12U
CHAPTER XXXII.
TOWN OF SYLVAN 1200
Early Settlement 1260
Various Matters i:'.l>i
Schools 126-i
Religious 1263
Organic 1303
CHAPTER XXXIII.
TOWN OF WESTFOUD 1268
Early Settlement 1268
First Events .. 1270
Organic 1270
Educational 1271
Religious 1271
Village OF Cazenovia 1272
CHAPTER XXXIV.
TOWN OF WILLOW 1281
Early Settlement 1281
Educational 1284
Religious 1383
Historical Items 1286
Village op LoYD 1287
CHAPTER XXXV.
EARLV EVENTS IN RICHLAND COUNTV I:a5
PORTRAITS.
page
Carswell, John H 996
Cai-swell. Mary U 99;
Clark, H. J 117'
Downs, D L 1213
Fogo, W. M...
Gribhle, Iivin
page
. . 1159 James, D. G....
I
. 1195,ivmilcr, Peter.
page
. . 845 Miner, James H.
I Walworth, John 913
879iWhitcomb, Myron 811
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
XI
BIOGRAPHICAL
PAOF.
Aknii. Willimn lllis!
Allen. H. H 1U'1L>
Allison. W ().. ll-.'7
A Iwoi 111. Kil wa n\ M laiOj
AndersiU), .Ahrnhain l».^4
Andeison. Diivid.. ]2.')4
Alliii rsiin. Jaoiili
Andrews. Thoinus.
Api)l"It.v. ,Ijinn.-s ..
Atkins, CHrri M .
Atkinson. L. E.~. .
Austin, E. 1'
Austin, llinini
12-.'l
8:14— siwl
12711
IS*!
125S
1247
BHbh. Goorjre H.
Hachti'nIun-iRM-, James
liaili V. II T
Itakf'r, W \V
Ilal-iley, William A.. -.
Itancroft. .1. C
Uarncs, William M
Harron, W. C. S
Uarn tt, Alexander. ..
BaxtiT, L. W
Bi-ai-. D W
Behove. E. W
liellville, C. U,
liencicr, Daniel
Iteiider. William
Bennett, Geoijfe E
Bennett. .Jaeob
Henin-tt. Van S
Benton. Josepil
Benton, Geoive
Benton, .Ii-., .loscph ..
Ber^fer. Philip Daniel.
Berr> man. .1. H
lievier. Zenas \V
Ililile, Moses
Biektord. A. W
Bills, .lames A
Blaek, Winfleld Scott .
Bliiek, O. K
Black, .\le.\antier. ...
Blake. Simon S
lioek. Hugo N
Bovee, Elisba
Bovce, Durfoe
Biiwen, 1". P
Boweu. W..I
Braee. Cnr-(ls E
ISradv, .lames
Jirad:'lia\v, ,1. W.
Brewer, I*. E
Brewer, I\ S
Brewer. It. K
BriKt-s. Ja.v W.
Brimer, B<'?i.iamin F. .
Brimer. .Jacob
Ilrimer, J. X.
Britton. Orrin I,. . ..
BrowTU'lI. Ben,jamln B
Buchanan. ,lr.. Knbcrt
Buchanan. Itobert
Bnnell. .Icsse (i
Burnhain. V . W, . . ,
Burnhain. .1. W
Burnham. Horace L
Burwitz. Cliristian..
Itush. A H
Bn-*b.v. Harry ...
Button. Leonard
Byrd. I). H
l:;ti5
!)7!t
lisw
lal.-l
nai
1007
1023
1198
104;
131:
1040
941
828
1047
1047
12117
1U0';1
834
!i:i."i
1247
1123
114',
8ti:i
10111
1271!
1141
IIKL'l
8(i0|
8t!2
8«l!
1143
lOIOi
1181
118^
118S
118S
lOOB:
H77'
'.I.SS'
1103:
1104,
lllll
1021
114.'.
Old'
I>40
10871
1203'
12:it
12;c;
12071
so I
1204'
1101
114.1
8: ill
.s:t2
1002
8:i0
HAOE
Carson, .Alonzo 1220
Carswell, George J 1004
Carswell. .John A lOWi
Carswell. ,lohn H lOOS,
Carpenter, JSilas L . 12.>i
Carver, Itandolph L 937
Casey, F. P »4li
Cass, George W 1003
Cass, ,James M 1001
Cass. Osnum - .- .... 04 1
Gate. H. W 12.W
Chandler, I). O 1180
Chesemore, Stephen W.... 1318
Chishulm, Ale.\ander 1256
Clark, P. M 12.57
i lark, E. I) 1230
Clark. Homer J 864
Clark, Edmund 1231
Clark, J. S 12:30
Clarson. John 12.5.')
Cleveland, J A 1210
Cline, Samuel 1291
Closson, C. E 978
Coates, W. H 1232
Coates, H. F 12J2
Coates, J. T.. 1232
Cotlinbcrrv, J. W 856
Collins, Henry 1184
Collins, WillinmF. 1180
Conner. Henry 12:i7
Cook. Levi H . . llOli
Cooper. William 1031
Cornwall. Horace 1039,
Coulter. William 113:>
I'ouinbe. J. Hobert 1231
Cratsenbersr, William iO.Mi
Crawford, Williau: 830
Crumbecker, A. M 1208;
CunniUKham, M.H B. ... 12461
Davis, John C 931
Davis, Samuel 931
Davis, AbijahS 1005
Davis, George 1124
David, O. F 1236:
Dawson, William Henry.. 1141
Dedcrich. Anthony 1102
DeHart. Henry B. 931
D< Lap. It. H «i;i
Deinmer. .lohn Henry 114.T
Dewey. David 12*1
DiUKnian. Jcremiali 1220
Di.von. William 1103
Dobl.s. Lewi« »7(i
Dornihoe, J(thn 1275
Do,, ley. William 1136
r)i,udna. W. V ]20fi,
Doniliia. Isaac 1126
Dove. .lames 1208)
Dowling. James 9:34'
Downs. D. L 940,
Down<. William H ... IBl
Dri'ikill, Oliediah 1206'
Durnloril. Alfred 862
Dunn. John 1068
Eastland, H. A 86]
Easllanrl. A. C 8.56
Ka-'tland. H.W 1199
Easthuid. K. W 801
Kilwanls. Thomas J 087
Eldreil, 1(. S 1007
Elliott, Joseph 1238
PAGE.
Elliett. Randolph 1236'
Kllswi,rth. H. B 1236
Ellswnrlh, J. S 1:J38
Ellsworlh. M. 1)^ 1329
;Ellsworth, Thoi^Tas J 1339
Ellsworth, Eli 1011
Ellsworlh, Wallace 1011
Knishoir. llenrv 1141
'Ewers, ,|i.hn 1364
Ewiuf, Joshua. . . o:i4
Fay, John 1185
Fcrebee, Samuel 10:35
Ferguson, John W 1067
Flamme. John I14ti
Fbeknor, Peter 960,
Fogo, ,John Ill
F(,!ro, John 9:35
Fogo, W M 965
Fogo. George 1346
Ford, Nathan 1193
Fowler, F. D 1209
Fowler, John 1066
Fowler. Allison 1067
Fowler, Burgess 1067
Fowler, John W 1007,
Francis, William. 1254
PAflE.
Hanzlik, Wenz<'l J 1278
Harris, .\braham 1017
Harnng, J. D jaio
Harlan. SaEUuel. 1021
Harn, Thomas 1287
Harl, John 1120
Hart, Lvnian 1126
Hart, T M 1191
Harfer, Andrew 1008
Hart-ihoni. Dr 940
Haseliine. IraS 1183
Hascltiiie, Alden 938
'lascltine, Hascal 827
Hawkins, U. C 831
Hayward, J. G. S 9:33
j Haseliine, Oriii I2i5
Heal, William 1267
Herbert. Joseph 9.SC
Helm, John ii 912
Hendricks, Samuel 1257
Heuthorn, William 1366
Hice.. William 1200
''rnncois, Jules ]3S,sl
Freeborn, S. 1 1091
Freeman, .Morris. 1340
Freeman. Morris 931
French. James 1388
Fries, J. C 1204
Fries, A. S 1304
Fries, 0. C 1204
Fries. Henrv W 8:33
Furev. William f 967
Furey, W. P 9:i6
GarJleld, William W 1061
(iartield, William W 9:(4|
Garner, E. S I02I1
Garner, J. W 12:351
Gault, Samuel B 10;t6|
Ghormlev. Michael 9:311
iilasier. H. W 1204
(.ileason. OtisL 1274
Gi,ir, Thonuis WiO
G<,yer, Joseph 94:3
Grafton, Alexander B. ... 1105
Graham, Charles 1119
Graham, Thomas 1118
Gray, Enoch 12.5:3
Greaves, Bronson 1062
Grilible. Irvin S65
Glim, \athanii-l 1265
(Jrover, Amasa 1089
Groves, Samuel 12tW
G fosse, Hernnui 1280
Guess. Oliver 1263
Guess, Albert W 1047
Gunnell. Thomas 1037
Hale, /achariah 9:t:f
Hall. Calvin 1367
Hall. William H KKIS
llallin. B. C ... 1187
Hamilton, Hichard Wade. 1251
Hamilton, Herman T .. . 1350
Hamilton, Hoswell It 1017
Hamilton, D. S .. 828
Haney, J.W lOox
Hanson. Nels 1327
Higgiubotham, N.
Hills, F.G .
Hillberry, George H
(Hiilberi'v, George
IHiliman, W.J '
'Hitchcock, William A....
Hitchcock, J. B
Hoke, George ]
Holcoinb. A . Jj . .. .
Householdei-, Daniel
Houts, O
Hurless, Jobe M.
1265
988
1:;;h
1037
1212
1143
944
1090
1008
9:34
941
985
Hurless, Henry H 10:15
Huston, .John I0a5
Hyatt, Alfred 1194
Hyatt, S. C 1194
Hyde, A.P ]245
Hynek, Wensel UKi8«
Irish, Joseph E 834
James, N. L 1191
James David G 1192
James, George H 1193
James, .\. G ; 1197
Jaiuiey, Lot P 1115
Jauney, William 1115
Janncy, Israel 1244
Janncv,John F' 1345
Jaquish, David 9:10
Jarvis, George 861
Jarvis, George 1374
.Ja.\. John .M 127S
Jewell, John J 986
Johns, G. A. ..■ 930
Johnson. Sr., Isaac 1351
Johnston, James 1292
Jones, Samuel IIOO
Jones. Hezckinh 114:1
Jones, Jcdtuhaa 1189
Jones, J. W 12ai
Jones, Warrington 12:11
.lones, John 1). 13:t1
Joslin, W. H 1181
Joslin, Carlos 1061
Joslin, William H 831
Kcane, John 1278
Kell.v, John 97B
ICi'pler, Henrv ... 1125
Keyes, James D 1003
Kincannon, Marion M 1226
XII
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE
Kincaunon, William M... 1225
Kinder, Peter 1224
Kiuney, Thoiiiaa It:i4
Kimciii, Biidiiigton 1250
KlinVler, John 1185
Kiiit-'bt, Joseph 1201
Koeh, Jeremiah lOtifi
Koeiiig-. Kev. Henry 10'
^vr0U!?kop, Georg-e 1184
Krouskop, Jacob 93;^
Krouskop, William 100;j
Kuykeadall. Alfred .... 10(U
Lamberson, J. G 1090
Lane. A. D 1184
Larson, August 1310
Laws, James 1140
Laws. G. L 827
Lawrence, Fred B J2
Lawton, Isaac R 1049
Leather berry, Thomas J.. 1063
Leiber.John, 1292
Le^vis. James 1142
Lewis. Andrew 9:i9
Le^v'is, James. . . 860
Lewis. William F. . . 100'
Lincoln, O^^car B 1280
Lincoln, Levi J 1104
Logan. T, P 1333
Logan, James 1233
Looker. Edmund B 1128
Long, Samuel 1003
Loveless. A 829
Lucas, James 1036
Lunenschloss, William. .. . 1097
Lybrand.J. W 1200
McCarthy, Patrick H 1060
McCarthy, Conelius 936
McCaskev,Josiah 85'
McCorkle, William 1092
Miller, William 1030
Miller, Jacob J 1030
Miller, George 'Hi
Miller.R. M 946
Millison, Levi 1264
Miner, James H Si;3
Minctt. William Ill
.Misslich, William
Mitchell, G. K 946
Moody.E. L 8:e
Moody,Joseph 1277
Moore,C. J 12.35
Moore,R. S 1009
-Moon, Joseph : . . 1123
Morrison, Henr.y J 1003
Moyes, James 12V9
Muhler, George.. 10.50
Mubler, Jr. , Amadeus 1050
Munson, Oliver G 1210
PAGE
Kiec, Daniel 1186
Richards, William 1131
Rizer, John H 977
Rolierts, Jehiel W 1293
Hobinson, William 1033
Hotiiiison, William 1018
Ki'l.ilisoti. Hiiirv 1019
lli'.lN Hnl.iii^.iii. \Villi:nii F -.-. 1019
Uo.lolph. FriMik G 1030
Rodolph, Charles G 859
Rogers, Salma 1048
Rose, Sidney 1185
Ross, W. D. S 1201
Ross, 1334
Roth. George F 1040
iiunimery. Thomas J 1039
Kunyan, Levi 1008
Rulau, John 827
McCorkle, C . .M 829
McCorkle, Joseph C 1103
McCulhim, J. L. H 1088
McCollum, Asa lOSS
McCord,B. F 988
McDonald, Daniel 1250
McGrew, J. B 11:
McKay, R. N 1311
McKee, J. L 1186
MoMahan, Isaac 936
McMillan, Samuel 938
McMurtrie, Joseph 833
McMurtrey, Lee 1207
McNelly. Henry 940
McNurlen. William 1005
Mainwaring, John ... . 1140
Manning.ErasmusDarwin 1038
Manchester, T. A 1042
Manlev.Menzies Phelps 1095
MarshiS. B 1231
Marshall. Joseph 1115
Marshall, George L Ill"
Martin, James 1199
Mark ham. Edward 1292
Mason, Thomas 1063
Mason, James Edward 1063
Mathews, Hubert 1034
Malh'ws, Thomas 1135
Matthews, John J 831
Ma vfield, David :.... 1137
Mayfleld, Green ,. 1137
Meeker, John A 1060
Meeker, Robert Douglas,. 1066
Merrill, Henty ... 1124
Mickel,George N 1290
Miller, Abrara 1143
Miller, John 1144
Miller, Henry 1227
.Munson, Martin
. . . . 9 '4
Murray, William
.... 1391
.Murphy, Daniel
... 1287
Murphy, Edward . -.
.... 12.-.3
Murphy. Michael
.... SU4
Neefe, Charles A
.... 986
Neff, Alberts
.... 10113
Newburn Jeremiah B.... UWt ^,.,)iindt, FrederickC.
Nicliols D P.. It"': Schuruu n, William
.\oble, WjlliamJ 1115 • . . ■ -
Noble,Daniel 1121
>f oble, Samuel 1334
Norman, Sr., George 1064
Norman, George 1064
Norman, Caleb H 1064
Norman
Sttltsman, WilUam 1126
alisburv, John 1389
Sands. John G 1359
Sanfont, Frank 1309
Sargent, George L 1011
Scholl, ClnistDpher.. 1358
Srlmiitz, Mathias Joseph. 1105
Seliniitz, Mrs. M.J 1105
1144
1182
Scott, John S 1352
Sellers, James A 985
Se.\ton, E. M 8.5'
Sexton. Morris 931
Shaffer. John - . 1037
Shambaugh. Adam 941
.loshuaJ W^f Sherman, Frederick IKiS
Norman. J -imes OWI^ijcrman, M. L 1207
Nourse, Elijah lyi'? Shireman, Ammi 1191
Nudd, Amos 859
Ogden, William 1263
~ " 1104
1050
829
1068
Ostrander, D. B..
Ott, Isaac G. B
Page, Andrew J
Palmer, Oswald
Palmer, L. B
Partrey, Edward
Paifrey, A.
Parsons, DavidE
Parsons, Thomas
Patch, Francis M
Pease, Myron C
Pease, E
Peckhara, Levi
Pecknam. W. R
Pepin, Cleophus
Persinger, Levi
Phoenix, Ludger
Pickard, W. J
Pickard, S. W
Pickering, William...
Pierce, Converse
Pierson, Charles B ...
Powell, Joseph
Pratt, Richard .
Pratt. \V. E
Priest, Henry
Priest, Daniel B
Shontz, John A 1098
Shookman Philip 1258
Schuerman, Henry 1139
Sigrist, Henry 1139
Simons, Jacob 931
Simpson, William.,
i^ipp.v, Joseph —
834isires, Alexander.
1306 stater, (ieorge
13iii; Slaughter, A. B .
831 .-^l.ieuin, C. W
313.j;smith, B.N..
1099
1093
930
1032
828
1315
1311
1020
1097
12U
1099
1138
1135
1249
1266
8:30
1017 Smith, Frank O.
936 Smith, Mathias M..
1305 Smith, Whitney
1134 Smith. IsuacO
SSu^Smith, Philip
1050 Smith, John
1228 Smith, .Vngus
1275 Smith, David
1193Smith, 0. H
lli'7;smith, Henry J 934
1034 Smith, Edward. 1234
1279. Smith, Jerry A
S'O Smyth. John H 1291
1032 Snow, Daniel 125-,
1-53 Soule. James J u.^o
1301 Southard, Ransom E 1087
"I Southard, James 108'
858 Spaugler, GeorgeL 1308
Stayton, John . . 1347
Stewart, R. B 1287
Stewart, Mahlon 987
Stewart, J.imes H 988
Stewart, Charles D 860
Stevenson, F. M 12,59
Stockton, J. C 1188
Storms, Daniel 1197
]0."..«'>ituwi-ll, Anson 106.''
louii stockwell, Robert M 1065
PAGE.
Strang, George H 1310
Straight. Albert J 1354
Stratton, A. M... 132!i
Stroud. A. E 861
Stuart, Charles 1256
Surrem, JohnE 1031
Sutton, K 865
Sweet, W.S 864
ladder, German . 938
Telfair, Byron W 857
relfair, R. L 945
Thomas, L. G 1006
Thomas, J. M 1102
Thompson, A. P 8.57
Thorp, L. M 1337
Tinker, Allen 1376
Toms, Henry 1204
Totton, Jonathan 936
Towsley. A. W 1009
Tracy, Lucius 1089
Travers, .\rthur W 1065
Travers, H enry 1065
Truesdale, John 1127
Tubbs, R. A 1049
Turgasen, .lohu 975
Turner, Jonathan 1049
VanDuscn, Lawrence.
Van Pool. Jacob
a59
1030
Queen, Benjamin W..
Ragles, .\b'-l
Randall, Miles.,
Reagles, Ezra
Reeob, William
Recob, William..
Rcnick, Lattiraore
Reynolds, Jctterson J iiu„„,i »., m^,
Rhodes, Joseph H 1007, Stoddard, Valentine 128
1119
1100
931
1291
937
1034
Waddell, John 1183
Waggoner, Peter 13.56
Waggoner, Caleb 1189
Waggoner, William J 1049
Walworth. John 1301
Wail H. J 946
Wallace, John 1003
Wal lace David 938
Walker, J. F 1197
Waller, George W ... 1040
Walser, Henry T 1068
Walser, Hiram H 1068
Wanless, Archibald 1120
Ward, Edgiir 979
Washburn, James 1358
Washburn, B. F 1235
Watt, James 1266
Webb, Robert ; 978
Weldy. James D 1038
Wenker, Sebastian 1379
Welton, Hiram 833
Weltoii, S 12.51
West, Edward 1376
West, Moses B 1349
Wheaton, Theodore 1041
Wherry, Demas 10(33
Whitcomb, C. U 1224
Vv'hitcomb, Myron 1225
Whitcraft, Thomas J 1190
White, George C 8:il
White, Marvin 838
Wildermuth, David 1289
Wilev, William 1356
Willis, John W 1394
Wilson. John S ... 859
Wiltrout, Adam A 1048
Winn, John 1193
Winterburn, Benjamin... 1101
Winton, Nathan 1332
Wolf, Abraham 1009
Wright, T. J 1191
Wright, .luhn 1388
Wright, J. 947
Wright, W. C 86 1
Wulting, E. C 861
Wulting, William 1182
Young, E. P.
930
Certificates of Crawford and Richland Counties.
We the undersignei members of the committee appointed to revise and correct the General History of ( rnwford
County. Wisconsin, do hereby certify that the manuscript of said history was S'lhmitted to us and that we made all the
ehansres and additions that wo, in oiir judx-ment, deemed necessary: and as corrected, we are satislled with and approve
the same. Prairie du Chien, Jan. 29. 1884. [Signed.] Wm. T. sterling, 1
B. W. lirisbois, I
James Fisher I
John H. Tower, J Committee.
Wm. I). Merrell.
Alexander M. Beach,
John R. Hurlbut,
We the undersigned committee appointed for the purpose of correcting the History of our respective towns for the
tory .)f Crawford County, hereby eerlity that the manu-<cript has been read to us, and that to the best of our recoUec-
IIi-_ „ _ _ ,. ...
tion, with the corrections arid additions we have made, the same is a correct history.
H. C. King,
H. Barrette,
Mrs. Lydia Atherton.
Bridycimrt .
G. A. Smith,
C. W. Baker.
Z. Beach,
James Fisher,
A. N. Hazen.
CUiylim,
Kcmlman .
John H. Tower,
Henry Eibret.
W. D. C. Lewis,
J. N. Kast.
Freeman,
Samuel A. Clark,
John Folsom,
T. A. Savage.
Prairie du Chicn.
nancy.
S. L. Wannomaker,
S. S. Kerrel,
J. M. Callaway.
Marietta .
J. H. Hurlbut,
Chancey Kast,
Charles Coalburn.
Scott.
Edward Garvey.
Samuel Armstrong.
James .\. Cnrran,
William T. Sterlinj;
Kalph Smith.
Mrs. K. Smith.
Srucca .
Utica.
fVauzcha.
We, the undersigned, members of the committee appointed to re\nse and correct the general chapters of the History of
Richland county, Wisconsin, compiled bv the Union I'ulilishing Company of Sprins-llcld, Illinois, hereby certify that the
saiil manuscript was submilled to us; that wc examined aTid hoard the same read, and that we have made all thechanges,
corrections and additions tliat wi' in our judgment and to the best o( our rccollecti<jn deem necessary, and as corrected we
are satistled with and approve of the same.
Richland Center, Jan. 8, 1884. [Signed.! D. I,. Downs.
James H. Miner,
J. M. Thonms, ycommittee.
R. M. Miller.
Israel Janney.
1
ico
Jns. Bnchtenkirchor,
James Brad.v,
John Torgerson.
Akan.
Wm. Pi/.er,
J. M. Hurless,
D. V. DeHart.
Ol'iom.
Samuel Long,
J. W. Fuller,
L. G. Thomas.
Buena Vista.
J. T. Barnes,
Jacob Berger.
Dayton.
J. n. Newliurn,
George Miller,
William Robinson.
Eagle.
Salma Rogers,
h. Clift.
Forest.
L. Renick.
J. M. Garfield.
P. H. McCarthy.
Henrietta.
William Dixon,
C. G. Thomas,
Peter A. Micklc,
E. Devoe.
RJtaca.
Daniel Noble.
Archibald Wanless.
W. F. Kepler.
MargliaU.
Thomas Mathews.
William Doolc.v,
H enry Sigrist.
Orion .
James H. Miner,
David G. James.
D. Strickland,
David Mayfiold.
Richland
Samuel Noble,
R. M. Miller,
Joseph Elliott.
Rich wood.
Abel P. Hyde,
George Fogo,
J. S. Scott.
Riickltriil^ic .
Asahel Savage.
Geo. H. Babb.
N. Grim.
.■^(/Imii-
.Tohn Donahoe.
A. Tinker,
Moses Bible.
frr.sl fori) .
James French.
R. B. Stewart.
V. Stoddard.
ITiil.iic.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
^
CHAPTER I.
PRE-HISTORIC AND SETTLEMENT.
AT a remote period there lived in this coun-
try a people now desi<fnated mound build-
ers. Of their origin nothing is known. Their
liistory is lost in the lapse of ages. The evi-
dences, however, of their existence in Wiscon-
sin and surrounding States are numerous.
Many of their earth works — the so-called
mounds — are still to be seen. These are of
various forms. Some are regularly arranged,
forming squares, octagons and circ'es; others are
like walls or ramparts; while many, especially
in Wisconsin, are imitative in figure, having
tlie shape of implements or animals, resembling
war clubs, tobacco pipes, beasts, reptiles, fish
and even man. A few are in the similitude of
trees.
In selecting sites for many of their earth
works, the mound-buililiTs appear to liave been
influenced by motives which prompt civilized
men to choose localities for tlieir great marts;
hence, Milwaukee and other cities of the
west are founded on ruins of pre-existing struc-
tures. River terraces and river bottoms seem
to have been favorite places for these mounds.
Their works are seen in the basin of the Fox
river, of the Illinois, and of Rock river and its
branches, also in the valley of the Fox river of
Green bay, in that of the Wisconsin, as well as
near the waters of the Mississippi. As to the
object of these earth works, all knowledge rests
upon conjecture alone. It is generally believed
that some were used for purposes of defense,
others for the observance of religious rites and
as burial places.
In some parts of Wisconsin are seen earth
works of a different character from those usu-
ally denominated "mounds." These, from their
supposed use, are styled "garden beds." They
are ridges or beds about six inches in height,
and four feet in width. They are arranged
methodically and in parallel rows. Some are
rectangular in shape; others are in regular
curves. Tliese beds occupy fields of various
sizes, from ten to a hundred acres.
The mound builders have left other evidences
besides mounds and garden beds, to attest their
18
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
presence in this country, in ages past. In tiie
Lake Superior region exist ancient copper
mines, excavations in the solid rock. In these
mines have been found stone hammers, wooden
bowls and shovels, props and levers for raising
and supporting m.a88 copper, and ladders for
descending into the pits and ascending from
them.
There are, also, scattered widely over the
country, numerous relics, evidently the handi-
work of these pre-historic people; such as stone
axes, stone and copper spear-heads and arrow
heads, and various other implements and uten-
sils. As these articles are frequently discov-
ered many feet below the surface of the ground,
it argues a high antiquity for the artificers.
These relics indicate that the mound builders
were superior in intelligence to the Indians.
None of their implements or utensils, however,
point to a "copper age" as having succeeded a
"stone age." They all refer alike to one age,
the indefinite past; to one people, the mound
builders.
There is nothing to connect "the dark back-
ward and abysm" of mound-buildiug times with
those of the red race of Wisconsin. And all
that is known of the savages inhabiting this
section previous to its discovery, is exceedingly
dim and shadowy. Upon the extended area
bounded by Lake Superior on the north. Lake
Michigan on the east, wide-spreading prairies
on the south, and the Mississippi river on the
west, there met and mingled two distinct In-
dian families, Algonquins and Dakotas. Con-
cerning the various tribes of these families,
nothing of importance could be gleaned by the
earliest explorers; at least, vei'y little has been
preserved. Tradition, it is true, pointed to the
Algonquins as having, at some remote period,
migrated from the east, and this has been con-
firmed by a study of their language. It indi-
cated, also, that the Dakotas, at a time far be-
yond the memory of the most aged, came from
the west or southwest, fighting their way as
they came; that one of their tribes once dwelt
upon the shores of a sea; but when and for
what purpose they left their home for the
country of the great lakes there was no evi-
dence. This was all. In reality, therefore,
Wisconsin has no veritable history ante-dating
its discovery by civilized man. The country
has been heard of, but only through vague re-
ports of savages.* There were no accounts at
all, besides these, of the extensive region of
the upjjer lakes; while of the valley of the
upper Mississippi, nothing whatever was known.
FIRST EXPLORATION OF THE NORTHWBST.
The history of Wisconsin commences with
the recital of the indomitable perseverance and
heroic bravery displayed by its first visitant,
John Nicolet. An investigation of the career
of this Frenchman shows him, at an early age,
leaving his home in Normandy for the new
world, landing at Quebec in 1618, and at once
seeking a residence among the Algonquins of
the Ottawa river, in Canada, sent thither by
the governor to learn their language. In the
midst of many hardships, and surrounded by
perils, he applied himself with great zeal to
his task. Having become familiar with the
Algonquin tongue, he was admitted into the
councils of the savages.
The return of Nicolet to civilization, after a
number of years immured in the dark forests of
Canada, an excellent interpreter, qualified hini
to act as government agent among the wild
western tribes in promoting peace, to the end
that all who had been visited by the fur-trader
might remain firm allies of the French. Nay,
further: it resulted in his being dispatched to
Nations far beyond the Ottawa, known only by
heresay, with whom it was believed might be
opened a profila' le trade in furs. So he started
on his perilous voyage. He visited the Hurons,
upon the Georgian bay. With seven of that
Nation, he struck boldly into wilds to the north-
ward and westward never before visited by civ-
ilized man. He paddled his birch canoe along
•Compare Champlaiu'8 Voyages, 1632, and his map of that
date; Sagard's, Histoire du Canada: he Jeune Relation, 1633.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
19
the eastern coast of Lake Huron and up the St.
Mary's Strait to the falls. He floated back to
the Straits of Mackinaw, and courageously
turned his face toward the west. At the Sault de
Ste. Marie, he had — the first of white men — set
foot upon the soil of the northwest.
Nicolet coasted along the northern shore of
Lake Michigan, ascended Green Bay, and finally
entered the mouth of Fo.x river. It was not
until he and his swarthy Hurons had urged their
frail canoes six days up that streain, that his
western exploration was ended. He had, mean-
while, on his way hither, visited a number of
tribes; some that had never before been heard
of by the French upon the St. Lawrence.
With them all he smoked the pipe of peace;
with the ancestors of the present Cbippewas,
at the Sault; with the Menomonees,theWinneba-
goes, the Mascoutins, in what is now the State
of Wisconsin; with the Ottawas, upon the Man-
itoulin Islands, and the Nez Ferces, upon the east
coast of Lake Huron. He made his outward
voyage in the summer and fall of 16.34, and re-
turned the next year to the St. Lawrence. He
did not reach the Wisconsin river, but heard
of a "great water" to the westward, which he
mistook for the sea. It was, in fact, that stream,
and the Mississippi, into which it pours its
flood.
"History cannot refrain from saluting Nicolet
as a distinguished traveler, who, by his explora-
tions in the northwest, has given clear proofs
of his energetic character, and whose merits
have not been disputed, although, subsequently,
they were temporarily forgotten." The first
fruits of his daring were gathered by the Jesuit
fathers, even before his death; for, in the autumn
of 1641, those of them who were among the
Hurons at the head of the Georgian bay of
Lake Huron, received a deputation of Indians
occupying the "country around a rapid [now
known as the 'Sault de Ste. Marie'], in the midst
of the channel by wliich Lake Superior empties
into Lake Huron," inviting them to visit their
tribe. These "missionaries were not displeased
with the opportunity thus presented of knowing
the countries lying beyond Lake Huron, which
no one of them had yet traveled;" so Isaac
Jogues and Charles Raymbault were detached
to accompany the Chippewa deputies, and view
the field simply, not to establish a mission.
They passed along the shore of Lake Huron,
northward, and pushed as far up St. Mary's
strait as the Sault, which they reached after
seventeen days' sail from their place of starting.
There they — the first white men to visit the
northwest after Nicolet — harrangued 2,000
Cbippewas and other Algonquins. Upon their
return to the St. Lawrence, Jogues was captured
by the Iroquois, and Kaymbault died on the
22d of October, 1642, — a few days before the
death of Nicolet.*
WISCONSIN VISITED BY FUR TRADERS AND JKS0IT
MISSIONARIES.
Very faint, indeed, are the gleams W'hich
break in upon the darkness surrounding our
knowledge of events immediately following the
visit of Nicolet, in what is now the State of
Wisconsin. That the Winnebagoes, soon after
his return, made war upon the Nez Perces, kill-
ing two of their men, of whom they made a
feast, we are assured.* We also know that in
1640, these same Winnebagoes were nearly all
destroyed by the Illinois ; and that the next
year, the Pottawattamies took refuge from their
homes upon the islands at the mouth of Green
bay, with the Cbippewas. f This is all. And
had it not been for the greed of the fur trader
and the zeal of the Jesuit, little more,
for many years, probably, would have been
learned of the northwest. However, a ques-
tioning missionary, took from the lips of an
Indian captainj "an account of his having, in
the month of June, 1658, set out from Green
Bay for the north, passing tiie rest of the sum-
mer and the following winter near Lake Supe-
* History of tlic di-^covcry of tlie uortliwest by John Nico-
let in lti;)4, with a skctcti ol his life, by C, W. Uutterfleld,
Cincinniiti. tiobertClarlte &Co., 1881.
•LeJoune, Kelation, llilifl.
tCol. Hist. New Yoric ix, 161.
i Not ' 'captive, " as some local histories hare It.
go
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
rior ; so called iu consequence of being above
that of Lake Huron. Thia Indian informed the
Jesuit of the havoc and desolation of the Iro-
quois war in the west ; how it had reduced the
Algonquin Nations about Lake Superior and
Green bay. The same missionary saw at Que-
bec, two Frenchmen who had just arrived
from the upper countries with 300 Algon-
quins in sixty canoes, laden with peltries. These
fur traders had passed the winter of 1659 on the
shores of Lake Superior, during which time they
made several trips among the surrounding
tribes. In their wanderings they probably vis-
ited some of the northern parts of what is
now Wisconsin. They saw at six days' jour-
ney beyond the lake toward the southwest,
a tribe composed of the remainder of the Hurons
of the Tobacco Nation, compelled by the
Iroquois to abandon Mackinaw and to bury
themselves thus deep in the forests, that they
could not be found by their enemies. The two
traders told the tales they had heard of the
ferocious Sioux, and of a great river upon which
they dwelt — the great water of Nicolet. Thus
a knowledge of the Mississippi began to dawn
again upon the civilized world."*
The narratives of the Indian captain and the
two Frenchmen induced further exploration two
years later when Father Rene Menard attempted
to found a mission on Lake Superior, with eight
Frenchmen and some Ottawas. He made his
way in 1660 to what is now Keweenaw, Mich.
He determined while there to visit some Hu-
rons on the islands at the mouth of Green bay.
He sent three of his companions to explore the
way. They reached those islands by way of
the Menominee river, returning to Keweenaw
with discouraging accounts. But Menard re-
solved to undertake the journey, starting from
the lake with one white companion and some
Hurons ; he perished, however, in the forest, in
what manner is not known, his companion
reaching the Green bay islands in safety.
White men had floated upon the Menominee,
* History Northern Wisconsin, p. 39,
SO that the northeastern part of what is now
Wisconsin, as wellas its interior by'Nicolet in
1 634, had now been seen by civilized white manf.
FOUNDING OF .JESUIT MISSIONS IN WISCONSIN,
In August, 1665, Father Claude Allouez
embarked on a mission to the country visited
by Menard. Early in September he had
reached the Sault de Ste. Marie, and on the
first day of October, arrived in the bay of
Chegoiraegon, at a village of Chippewas.
Here he erected a chapel of bark, establishing
the first mission in what is now Wisconsin
to which he gave the name of the Holy Spirit.
While Allouez had charge of this field, he
either visited or saw, at Chegoimegon, scattered
bands of Hurons and Ottawas ; also Pottawat-
tamies from Lake Michigan, and the Sacs and
Foxes, who lived upon the waters of Fox river
of Green bay. He was likewise visited by the
Illinois, and at the extremity of Lake Superior
he met representatives of the Sioux. These
declared they dwelt on the banks of the river
"Messipi." Father James Marquette reached
Chegoimegon in September, 1 669, and took
charge of the mission of the Holy Spirit,
Allouez proceeding to the Sault de Ste. Marie,
intending to establish a mission on the shores
of Green bay. He left the Sault Nov, :!, 1669,
and on the 25th, reached a Pottawattamie cabin.
On the 2d of December he founded upon the
shore of Green bay the mission of St. Francis
Xavier, the second one established by him
within what are now the limits of Wisconsin.
Here Allouez passed the winter. In April,
1670, he founded another mission ; this one
was upon Wolf river, a tributary of the Fox
river of Green bay. Here the missionary
labored among the Foxes, who had located upon
that stream. The mission, the third in the
present Wisconsin, he called St. Mark.
In 1671 Father Louis Andre was sent to the
missions of St. Francis Xavier and St. Mark, as
a co-worker with Allouez. At what is now the
t Bancroft, in his History of United States, evidently mis-
takes the course pursued from Keweenaw, by Menard.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
21
village of DePere, Brown Co., "Wis., was located
the central station of the mi.ssion of St. Francis
Xavier. This mission included all the tribes
inhabiting the vicinity of Green bay. A rude
cha]iel, the third one within the present limits
of Wisconsin, was soon erected. Allouez then
left for other fields of labor ; but Andre re-
mained here, working with zeal during the
summer of 1671. However, during a temporary
absence his chapel was burned, but he speedily
erected another. Then his dwelling was de-
stroyed, but although he erected another, it
soon shared the same fate. He was at this
time laboring among the Menomonees. When
he finally left "the bay tribes" is not known.
In 1076 Father Charles Albanel was stationed
at wiiatis now DePere, where a new and better
chapel was erected than the one left by Andre.
In 1680 the mission was supplied by Father
James Eryalran, who was recalled in 1687.
When he left, his house and chapel were burned
by the Winnebagoes. It was the end of the
mission of St. Francis Xavier. The mission of
the Holy Spirit was deserted by Father James
Marquette in 1671. It was the end for 170
years of a Konian Catholic mission at Che-
goimegon.
WISCO.NSIN UNDKK KIJENCII DOMINATIO.N.
In the year 1671, France took formal posses-
sion of the whole country of the upper lakes. An
agent, Dauniont de St. Liisson, was dispatched
to tlie distant tribes, pi'oposing a congress of
Indian Nations at the Falls of St. Mary, between
Lake Huron and Lake Superior. The principal
chiefs of the Wisconsin tribes were gathered
there by Nicholas Perrot. When all were assem-
bled, it was solemnly announced that the great
northwest was placed under tlie protection of
the French government. Tiiis was the begin-
ning of French domination in what is now Wis-
consin. Tile act of Dauniont de St. Lusson, at
the Falls of St. Mary, in 1071, in establishing
the right of France to tlie regions beyond Lake
Michigan, not being regarded as sufficiently def-
inite, Nicholas Perrot, in 1689, at the head of
Green bay, again took possession of the country,
extending the dominion of New France, not only
over the territory of the upper Mississippi, but
'•to other places more remote;" so that then, all
that is now included within the boundaries of
the State of Wisconsin (and much more) passed
quietly into the possession of the French king.
No fur-trader or missionary, no white man,
had as yet reached the Mississippi above the
mouth of the Illinois river. But the time for
its exploration was at hand. Civilized men were
now to behold its vast tribute rolling onward
toward the Gulf of Mexico. These men were
Louis Joliet and James Marquette. Jolietcame
from Quebec, having been appointed by the gov-
ernment to "discover" the Mississippi. He found
Mar(juette on the north side of the straits of
Mackinaw, laboring as a missionary among the
Indians. The latter was solicited and readily
agreed to accompany Joliet upon his expedition.*
The outfit of the party was very simple: two
birch-bark canoes and a supply of smoked meat
and Indian corn. They had with them five
white men. They began their voyage on the
I7thday of May, 1673. Passing into Lake Mich-
igan, they coasted along its northern shore, and
paddled their canoes up Green bay and Fox
river to the portage. They then crossed to the
Wisconsin, down which they floated, until, on
the 17th of June, they entered the Mississippi.
After dropping down the river many miles, they
returned by way of the Illinois and Lake Mich-
igan to Green bay, where Marquette remained
to recruit his strength, while Joliet returned to
Quebec to make known the extent of his dis-
coveries, j
Fontenac's report of Joliet's return from a
voyage to discover the South sea, dated Nov.
14, 1674, is as follows:
"Sieur Joliet, whom Monsieur Talon advised
me, on my arrival from France, to dispatch for
•That Count Fontenac, governor of New France, andM.
Tolon, intenrtant, should have expressed a wish to Joliet
that Father .Manjuette be invited to accompany him in his
contemplated journey, is to be inferre*! from the words of
the missionary; but nutliing inlheorderK i if lliese officers to Joliet
is found to cfintirm the statement .
22
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
the discovery of the South sea, has returned
three months ago, and discovered some very
fine countries, and a navigation so easy through
the beautiful rivers he has found, that a person
can go from Lake Ontario and Fort Fontenac
in a bark to the Gulf of Mexico, there being
only one carrying place, half a league in length,
where Lake Ontario communicates with Lake
Erie. These are projects which it will be pos-
sible to effect when peace shall be firmly estab-
lished and whenever it will please the king to
prosecute these discoveries. Joliet has been
within ten days' journey of the Gulf of Mexico,
and believes that water communications could
be found leading to the Vermilion and Cali-
fornia seas, by means of the river that flows
from the west [the Missouri] into the grand
river [the Mississippi] that he discovered,
which runs from north to south, and is as large
as the St. Lawrence opposite Quebec.
"I send you by my secretary the map he has
made of it, and the observations he has been
able to recollect, as he has lost all his minutes
and journals in the shipwreck he suffered with-
in sight of Montreal, where, after having com-
pleted a voyage of twelve hundred leagues, he
was near being drowned, and lost all his papers
and a little Indian, whom he brought from
those countries. These accidents have caused
me great regret. Joliet left with the fathers at
the Sault de Ste. Marie, in Lake Superior, copies
of his journals; these we cannot get before next
year. Tou will glean from them additional
particulars of this discovery, in which he has
very well acquitted himself."
It is not known that the copies of Joliet's
journals, mentioned in Frontenac's report, were
delivered to the French government; but an ac-
count of the voyage by Marquette was published
in 16S1 by Thevenat. This fact has caused an
undue importance to be attached to the name
of the missionary in connection with the dis-
covery of the Mississippi, and at the expense of
tlie fame of Joliet.*
•"The Count of Frontenae," says Shea (Wis Hist. CoU.,Vol.
VII, page 119), "oa the Uth of November, [1671] in a (lis
Explorations begun by Joliet were continued.
La Salle, in '[619, with Father Louis Hennepin,
coasted along the western shore of Lake Michi-
gan, landing frequently. The return of Henry
de Tonty, one of La Salle's party, down the
same coast to Green bay, from the Illinois, fol-
lowed in ]680. The same year. Father Henne-
pin from the upper Mississippi, whither he had
gone from the Illinois, made his way across
what is now Wisconsin, by the Wisconsin and
Fox rivers to Green bay.*
He was accompanied by Daniel Greysolon
Duluth, who,on his way down the Mississippi bad
met Hennepin in September, IGTS. Duluth left
Quebec to explore, under the authority of the
governor of New France, the region of the up-
per Mississippi, and establish relations of
friendship with the Sioux and their kindred,
the Assiniboines. In the summer of Idld he was
in the Sioux country and early in the autumn
of that year at the head of Lake Superior hold-
ing an Indian council. In June, 1680, he set
out from that point to continue his explorations.
Going down the Mississippi he met with Henne-
pin, as stated above,journeyed with him to the Je-
suit station, near the head of Green bay, across
what is now the State of Wisconsin. Follow-
ing the voyages of Hennepin and Duluth was
the one by Le Sueur, in 1683, from Lake Michi-
gan to the Mississippi, ascending that river to
the Sioux country in the region about St. An-
thony, and his subsequent establishment, said
to have been in 1693, at La Pointe, in the pres-
ent Ashland Co., Wis. He was, at least, a
voyageur stationed at Chegoimegon during that
year. He continued to trade with the Sioux at
intervals to the yenr l702.f
patch to Colbert announced the successful issue of JoUet's
expeclition;"butSheathen adds; "They had to wait forfullde-
tailstill the aceountdrawn up by Father Marquette should be
sent down, " as tboug:h such an account was really expected:
but the fact was, as stated by Fontenac himself, that cople
of Joliet's journals were what was looked for.
*Hist. of Northern Wis., page 44.
tibed.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
2S
Nicholas Perrot was again in the northwest
in 1684. He was commissioned to have chief
commanci, not only "at tlie bay," but also upon
the Mississippi, on the east side of which
stream, at the foot of Lake Pepin, he erected
a post. Here he spent the winter of 1685-6.
Tiie next year he had returned to Green bay.
He vibrated between Montreal and the west
until 1697. In 1699 St. Cosme and his com-
panions coasted along the west shore of Lake
Michigan. Other explorations followed, but
generally in the tracks of previous ones.
Except at "the bay," there was not so long as
tlie French had dominion over the northwest,
a single post occupied for any length of time by
regular soldiers. This post was called Fort St.
Francis. There were other stockades. — one at
La Pointe in 1726, and, as we have already seen
one upon the Mississippi; but neither of these
had cannon. At the commencement of the
French and Indian War, all three had disap-
peared. At the ending of hostilities, in 1760,
there was not a single vestage of civilization
within what are now the bounds of Wisconsin,
except a few vagrant Frenchmen among the
Indians; there was no post; no settlement, west
of Lake Michigan. But before dismissing the
subject of French supremacy in tlie northwest,
it is proper to mention the hostility that for a
number of years existed between the Fox Ind-
ians and Frenchmen.
In the year 1693, several fur-traders were
plundered by the Fox Indians (located upon
Fox river of Green bay), while on their way to
the Sioux; the F'oxes alleging that the French-
men were carrying arms to their ancient
enemies. We hear no more of their hostility
to the French until early in the spring of 1712,
when they and some Mascoutins, laid a plan to
burn the fort at Detroit. It was besieged for
nineteen days by these savages, but the besiegers
were obliged finally to retreat, as their provis-
ions had become exhausted. They were pursued,
however, anil near Lake St. Clair suffered a signal
defeat at the bands of M. Dubisson and his
Indian allies. The Marquis de Vaudreuil, now
that the Foxes continued their hostilities, de-
termined on a war of extermination against
them. De Lourigny, a lieutenant, left Quebec
in March, 1716. He made his way with alacrity,
entering Green bay and Fox river, it is said,
with a force of 800 French and Indians, en-
countering the enemy in a pallisaded fort,
which would have been soon reduced had not
the Foxes asked for peace. Hostages were
given, and Lourigny returned to Quebec. In
1721 the war was renewed, and in 1728 another
expedition was organized against these savages,
commanded by Marchemd de Lignery. This
officer proceeded by way of the Ottawa river of
Canada and Lake Huron to Green bay, upon
the noithern shore of which the Menominees,
who had also become hostile were attacked and
defeated. On the 24th of August, a Winnebago
village on Fox river was reached by De Lignery
with a force of 400 French and 750 Indians.
They proceeded thence, up the river to the
home of the Foxes, but did not succeed in meet-
ing the enemy in force. The expedition wa«
a signal failure. But the march of Neyon de
Villiers, in 1730, against the Foxes, was more
successful, resulting in their defeat. They
suffered a loss of 200 killed of warriors, and
three times as many women and children. Still
the Foxes were not humbled. Another expedi-
tion, this time under the direction of Capt. De
Noyelle, marched against them in 1735. The
result was not decisive. Many places have been
designated upon Fox river as points where
conflicts between the French and their allies,
and the Foxes and their allies took place; but
all such designations are traditionary and un-
certain. The Sacs and Foxes finally became
connected with the government of Canada, and
during the French and Indian War were
arrayed against the English.
WISCONSIN UXDER ENGLISH SUPREMACT.
On the 9lh day of September, 1760, Governor
Vaudreuil surrendered Canada to General Am-
herst, of the British army, and^the supremacy
24
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
over the northwest passed from France to
Great Britain. But in what is now Wisconsin
there was little be.sides savages to be affected by
the change. The vagrant fur-trader represented
all that there was of civilization west of Lake
Michigan. Detroit was soon taken possession
of; then Mackinaw, and finally, in 1761, a
squad of English soldiers reached the head of
Green bay, to garrison the tumble-down post,
where now is Fort Howard, Brown Co., Wis.
This was on October 12 of the year just men-
tioned. Lieut. James Gorrell and one ser-
geant, one corporal and fifteen privates con-
stituted the "army of occupation" for the
whole country west of Lake Mich.igan from
this time to June 21, 1763, when the post
was abandoned by the commandant on ac-
count of the breaking out of Pontiae's War,
and the capture of the fort at Macki-
naw by the savages. The cause of the
war was this : The Indian tribes saw the dan-
ger which the downfall of the French interests
in Canada was sure to bring them. They
banded together under Pontiac to avert their
ruin. The struggle was short but fierce — full
of " scenes of tragic interest, with marvels of
suffering and vicissitude, of heroism and en-
durance ;" but the white man conquered. The
moving incidents in this bloody drama were
enacted to the eastward of what is now Wis-
consin, coming no nearer than Mackinaw, but
it resulted in the evacuation of its territory by
British troops, who never after took possession
of it, though they continued until 1796 a nominal
military rule over it after Mackinaw was again
occupied by them.
No sooner had the soldiers under Gorrell
left the bay than French traders seized upon
the occasion to again make it headquarters for
traffic in furs to the westward of Lake Michi-
gan. Not that only, for a few determined to
make it their permanent home. By the year
1760 there were some families living in the de-
cayed Fort Edward Augustus and opposite
thereto, on the east side of Fox river, where
they cultivated the soil in a small way and in
an extremely primitive manner, living, now
that peace was again restored, very comfort-
alily. Of these French Canadians, no one can
be considered as the pioneer — no one is entitled
to the renown of having first led the way, be-
coming, therefore the first settler of the State,
much less the father and founder of Wisconsin.
It was simply that "the bay," being, after Pon-
tiae's war, occupied by Canadian French fur-
traders, their station finally ripened into a per-
manent settlement — the first in Wisconsin — the
leading spirits of which were the two Lang-
lades, Augustin and Charles, father and son.
It had all the characteristics of a French settle-
ment. Its growth was very slow. The indus-
tries were few and simple. Besides the em-
ployments of trading and transporting goods
and peltries, the inhabitants engaged in hunt-
ing and trapping. Attention was given to the
cultivation of the soil only incidently. Gardens
were cultivated to some extent for a supply of
vegetables. Gradually, however, a few persons
turned their chief attention to agriculture.*
In 1783 four white persons occupied in a per-
manent manner the tract of land where now is
Prairie du Chien, in Crawford Co., Wis. They
were soon followed by a number of persons
who located there. These became permanent
traders with the Indians.
Besides the settlement at "the bay" and the
one at Prairie du Chien some French traders
were located where Milwaukee now is in 1795,
but they could hardly be called settlers. Ten
years before that date Laurence Barth lived at
the portage between the Fox and Wisconsin
rivers, now the site of Portage, Columbia Co.,
Wis., where he was engaged in the carrying
trade. But his residence could not fairly be
termed a settlement; so that when, in 1796, the
English yielded possession of what is now Wis-
consin to the Americans (a nominal one, how-
ever,) there were really but two settlements —
Green Bay and Prairie du Chien.
*Hi8t. Northern Wis., p. 49.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
95
WISCONSIN AS A PART OF THE NORTHWEST TER-
RITORY.
The Congress of the United States, by tlieir
act of the 6tli day of September, 1780, recom-
mended to the >('V( ral States in the Union hav-
ing claims to waste and unapi)ropriated lands in
the western country, a liberal cession tothegen-
er.jl government of a portion of their respective
claims for the common benefit of the Union.
The claiming States were Connecticut, New
York and Virginia, all under their colonial char-
ters, and the last mentioned, in addition thereto,
by right of conquest of the Illinois country.
The region contended for lay to the northwest
of the river Ohio. Virginia claimed territory
westward to the Mississippi and northward to a
somewhat indefinite extent. New York, and
especially Connecticut, laid claim to territory
streiching away to an unbounded extent west-
waid, but not so far to the south as Virginia.
The last mentioned State, by virtue of conquests
largely her own, extended her jurisdiction over
the Illinois settlements in 1778, and the year
after, and erected into a county enough to in-
clude all her conquests. But, what is now the
State of Wisconsin, she certainly did not exor-
cise dominion over. The three States finally
ceded all llicir rights to the United States, leav-
ing the general goveinmeiit absolute owner of
th<> whole country, subject only to the rights,
such as they were, of the Indian Nations who
dwelt therein.
Under a congressional ordinance, i>assed in
1785, for ascertaining the mode of disposing of
lands in the western territory, the geographer
<il' the United States was directed to commence
the survey of them immediately beyond the
Ohio river, upon the plan which has ever since
been followed by the general government, re-
sulting in regular latitudinal and longitudinal
lines being run, so as to circunisiMJbe every 640
acres of land, not only in Wisconsin but in all
the west, wherever these surveys have been"
brought to completion. Two years subse(|uent
to the passage of the first ordinance, was that of
another and more famous one, providing for the
government of the territory northwest of the
river Ohio. This is familiarly known as the
ordinance of 1787; and to this day it is a part of
the fundamental law of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
Michigan and Wisconsin, the five states since
formed out of the region included within the
limits affected by its provisions; — an act of Con-
gress, passed in 1789, having adapted it to the
constitution of the United States. But neither
the treaty with Great Britain of 1783, nor the
ordinances of Congress which followed, gave the
United States anything more 'ban constructive
possession of the whole of its western territory.
The mother country, it is true, recognized the
northern lakes as the boundary between her
possessions and those of the now independent
states, but finding an excuse in the fact of some
of her merchants not being paid their claims as
stipulated by the treaty of 1783, she retained
possession of the whole northwest, including
what is now Wisconsin, until 1700.
By the ordinance of 1787, the United States
in Congress assembled d«clared that the teni-
tory northwest of the Ohio, should, for the j)Ui-
])oses of tem])orary go\erninent, be one district,
subject, however, to be divided into districts, as
future circumstances might, in the opinion ol'
Congress, make it ex|)edieiit. It was ordained,
that a governor, secretary and three judges
should be appointed for the territory; a general
assembly was also provided for; and it was de-
clared that religion, morality and knowledge,
being necessary to good government and the
happiness of mankin<l, schools and the means of
education should forever l)e eneourageil. It
was also ordained that tl)ei-e should be neither
slavery nor involuntary servitude in the terri-
tory, "otiierwise than in the punisliinent of
crimes whereof the party shall |]a^■e been duly
convicted." But this organic law was of cour.-'c
nugatory over tiiat portion of the territory 0( -
cnjiied by the British, and so continucil until
the latter yielded possession, and in tact, for
some time subsequent thereto.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
By the treaty agreed upon in l'I9i, between
the United States and Great Britain, usually
known as the Jay treaty, the evacuation of the
posts and places occupied by British troops and
garrisons in the northwest, was to take place on
or before the Ist day of June, 1796. All set-
tlers and traders within the precincts or juris-
diction of these posts were to continue to enjoy
unmolested, all their propeity of every kind,
and to be protected therein. They were at full
liberty to remain there, or to remove with all
or any part of their effects; and it was left free
to them to sell their lands, houses, or effects, or
to retain the property thereof, at their discre-
tion. Such of them as should continue to reside
there were not to be compelled to become citi-
zens of the United States, or to take any oath
of allegiance to the government thereof; but
were at full liberty so to do if they thought
proper; and they were to make and declare their
election within one year after the evacuation of
the posts by the military. Persons continuing
after the expiration of one year without having
declared their intentions of remaining subjects
of his Britannic majesty, were to be considered
as having elected to become citizens of the
United States. It is believed that no citizen of
Wisconsin, either in the settlement at "the bay"
or at Pi-airie du Chien made such a declaration
but that all who remained, became thereby citi-
izens of the new government.
The Indian war in the west; which followed
the Revolution, was brought to an end by the
victorious arms of Gen. Anthony Wayne, upon
the banks of the Maumee river, in what is now
the State of Ohio, in the year 1794. The treaty
of Greenville was entered into the next year
with twelve western tribes of Indians, none of
which resided in Wisconsin. Nevertheless, one
of the provisions of the treaty was that, in con-
sideration of the peace then established and
the cessations and the relinquishments of lands
made by the Indian tribes there represented,
and to manifest the liberality of the United
States, claims to all Indian lauds northward of
the Ohio, eastward of the Mississippi, and west-
ward and southward of the great lakes and the
waters uniting them, were relinquished by the
gencal government to the Indians having a
right thereto. This included all the lands
within the present boundaries of Wisconsin.
The meaning of the relinquishment by the
United States was that the Indian tribes who
had a right to those lands were quietly to enjoy
them, hunting, planting and dwelling thereon
as long as they pleased, without any molesta-
tion from the general government; but when
any tribe should be disposed to sell its lands,
or any part of them, they were to be sold only
to the United States; and until such sale, the
general government would protect all the In-
dian tribes in the quiet enjoyment of their laiid
against all citizens of the country, and against
all other white persons who might intrude upon
them. And if any citizen of the United States,
or any other white person or persons should pre-
sume to settle upon the lands then relinquished
by the general government, such citizens or other
persons should be out of the protection of the
United States; and the Indian tribe on whose
land the settlement might be made might drive
off the settler, or punish him in such manner as
they might think fit; and because such settle-
ments made without the consent of the general
government would be injurious to them as well
as to the Indians, the United States should be
at liberty to break them up, and remove and
punish the settlers, as they might think proper.
The titles of the Indians to their lands were
thus acknowledged; and they were unquestion-
able, because treaties made, or to be made
with the various tribes had been declared by
the constitution of the United States, the su-
preme law of the land. But those titles could
only be yielded to the general government.
The principal question to be afterward deter-
mined was, what lands were each tribe the
rightful owners of. So long as Wisconsin
formed a part of the northwestern territory, no
treaty was made by the United States with any
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
37
tribe or tribes occnpying any portion of the
the country now lying within the limits of Wis-
consin.
When, in l/f'H. Great Britain yielded posses-
sion of the noiiliwest by withdrawing its garri-
sons from the military posts therein, in pursu-
ance of the Jay treaty of 1794, and the United
States took formal possession thereof, the
change in the political relations of the few set-
tlers of Green Bay and Prairie du Chien was
not felt by them. They had become the adop-
ted citizens of the United States without any
realization further than a bare knowledge of
the fact. British authority had been so little
exercised in their domestic affairs, that its with-
dra-w'al was unnoticed, while that of the United
States only reached them in name. Nearly all
who were engaged in the fur trade were agents
or employes of the British fur companies, and
their relation to these remained unbroken. No
intercourse for several years sprung up with
the Americans.
Under the ordinance of 1787, Arthur St. Clair
wa.s appointed governor of the northwestern
territory. At different periods counties were
erected to include various portions of that
region of country. By the governor's procla-
mation of the 15th of August, 1796, one was
formed to include the whole of the present
area of northern Ohio, west of a point where
the city of Cleveland is now located; also all of
the present State of Indiana, north of a line
drawn from Fort Wayne, "west-northerly to
the southern part of Lake Michigan," the whole
of what is now the State of Michigan, except
the extreme northwest corner on Lake Superior;
a small corner in the northeast part of the pres-
ent State of Illinois, including Chicago; and so
much of what is now Wisconsin as is watered
by the streams flowing into Lake Michigan,
which included an extensive portion of its area,
taking in the territory now constituting many
of its eastern and interior counties. To this
county was given the name of Wayne. The
citizens at the head of Greeu bay, from 179(3,
until the 4th of July, 1800, were, therefore, res-
idents of Wayne county, Northwest territory.
But the western portion of the present State of
Wisconsin, including all its area watered by
streams flowing northward into Lake Superior,
and westward and southwestward into the Mis-
sissippi, was during those years attached to no
county whatever. Within this part of the State
was located, of course, the settlement of Prairie
du Chien.
WISCONSIN AS A PART OF THE TERRITOKT OK
INnlANA.
After the fourth day of July, 1800, all that
portion of the territory of theUniled States north-
west of the Ohio river, lying to the westward
of a line beginning upon that stream opposite
the mouth of the Kentucky river and running
thence to what is now Fort Recovery, in Mer-
cer Co., Ohio, thence north until it intersected
the territorial line between the United States
and Canada, was for the purposes of temporary
government, constituted a separate territory,
called Indiana. Within its boundaries were
included not only nearly all of what is now the
State of Indiana, but the whole of the present
State of Illinois, more than half of what is
now Michigan, a considerable portion of the
present State of Minnesota,and the whole of Wis-
consin. The seat of government was estab-
lished at "Saint Vincennes on the Wabash."
now the city of Vincennes,Ind. Upon the form-
ation of a State government for the State of
Ohio, in 1802, all the country west of that State,
but east of the eastern boundary of the territory
of Indiana, was added to the latter ; so that
then the area norlliwest of the Ohio river in-
cluded but one State and one territory. After-
ward, civil jurisdiction was exercised by the
authorities of Indiana territory over the Green
bay settlement, in a faint way, by the appoint
ment, by Gov. William Henry Harrison, of
Charles Reanme as the justice of the peace
therein. Prairie du Chien was also recognized
by the new territorial government by tlie
appointment of two persons to a like oflice —
28
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Henry M. Fisher and a trader by the name of
Campbell.
As American emigration was now rapidly
dotting the wilderness to the westward of the
State of Ohio wilh settlements, a treaty with
some of the Indian tribes who claimed
lands in that region extending northward into
what is now Wisconsin, was a necessity, for as
yet, none of these Nations had met any au-
thorities of the United States in council. At
the close of the contest between France and
Great Britain so disastrous in North America to
the former, the Sacs and Foxes readily gave in
their adhesion to the latter, asking that English
traders might be sent them. The two Nations,
then about equally divided, numbered about
Too warriors. Neither of the tribes
took part in Poniiac's war, but they befriended
the English. The Sacs had, by that date emi-
grated some distance to the westward, while
the Foxes, at least a portion of them, still re-
mained upon the waters of the river of Green
bay, which perpetuates their name. A few
years later, however, and the Sacs were occu-
pants of the upper Wisconsin also to a consid-
erable extent below the portage between that
stream and Fox river, where their chief town
was h)eated. Further down the Wisconsin was
the upper village of the Foxes, while their
lower town was situated not far from its mouth,
near the site of the present city of Prairie du
Chien.
Not long after Wise nsin had been taken
possession of by the British, its northern por-
tion, including all that part watered by the
streams flowing north into Lake Superior, was
the home of the Chippewas. The country
around nearly the whole of Green bay, was the
hun ing grounds of the Menomonees. The ter-
ritory of Winnebago lake and Fox river was
the seat of the Winnebagoes, while, as just
stated, the Sacs and Foxes had the region of
the Wisconsin river as their dwelling place.
During the war of the Revolution, these
two tribes continued the firm friends of the
English, although not engaged in active hostili-
ties again.«it the Americans. When finally Eng-
land delivered up to the United States the pos-
session of the northwest, the Sacs and Foxes had
only a small portion of their territory in Wis-
consin, and that in the extreme southwest.
Their principal possession extended a consider-
able distance to the south of the mouth of the
Wisconsin, upon both sides of the Mississppi
river.
On the 3d of November, 1804, a treaty was
held at St. Louis between the Sacs and Foxes
and the United States. These tribes then ceded
to the general government, a lage tract of land
on both sides of the Mississippi, extending on
the east from the mouth of the Illinois to the
head of that river, thence to the Wisconsin.
This grant embraces, in what is now Wisconsin,
the whole of the present counties of Grant and
La Fayette, and a large portion of those of Iowa
and Green. It included the lead region. These
tribes also claimed territory on the upper side
of the Wisconsin, but they only granted away
a tract two miles square above that stream, near
its mouth, with the right of the United States
to build a fort adjacent thereto. In considera-
tion of the cession of these lands, the general
government agreed to protect the two tribes in
the quiet enjoyment of the residue of their
possessions against its own citizens and all oth-
ers who should intrude on them ; carrying out
the stipulations to that effect embodied in the
Greenville treaty, of 1795. Thus begun the
quieting of the Indian title to the eminent do-
main of Wisconsin by the United States, which
was carried forward until the whole territory
(except certain reservations to a few tribes) had
been fairly purchased of the original proprie-
tors.
So much of Indiana territory as lay to the
north of a line drawn east from the southern
bend of Lake Michigan to Lake Erie, and east
of a line drawn from the same tend through
the middle of the first mentioned lake to its
northern extremity, thence due north to the
mSTORY OF WISCONSIN.
29
northern boundary of the United States, was,
for the purposes of temporary government, on
the 30th of June, 1805, constituted a separate
and distinct territory, called Michigan. This
new territory did not include witliin its boun-
daries any part of Wisconsin as at present de-
fined.
WISCONSIN AS A PART OF ILLINOIS TERRITORY.
On the 3d of February, 1809, an act of Con-
gress, entitled an act for dividing the Indiana
territory into two separate governments, was
approved by the President and became a law.
It provided that from and after the 1st day of
March thereafter, all that part of the Indiana
territory lying west of the Wabash river and
a direct line drawn from that stream and "Post
Vincennes" due north to the territorial line be-
tween the United States and Canada, should,
for the purpose of temporary government, con-
stitute a separate territory and be called Illinois,
with the seat of government at Kaskaskia, on
the Mississippi river, until it should be other-
wise ordered. By this law, all of what is now
Wisconsin was transferred from Indiana terri-
tory to that of Illinois, except that portion lying
east of the meridian line drawn through Vin-
cennes. This fraction included nearly the
whole area between Green bay and Lake Mi-
chigan and remained a part of the territory of
Indiana. When, in 1816, Indiana became a
State, this narrow strip, as it was neither a por-
tion of Michigan territory on the east or Illinois
territory on the west, remained without any
organization until 1818. In that year it became
a part of Michigan territory.
In 1809, an effort was made by John Jacob
Astor, of New York city, to extend the Ameri-
can fur-trade by way of the lakes to Wiscon-
sin and parts beyond; but the monopoly
of the British fur companies was too
strong. He could only effect his object by uni-
ting with the northwest company of Montreal,
in I8I1, to form out of the American and Mack-
inaw companies, a new one, to be known as the
Southwest company, of which Astor owned a
half intererest, with the arrangement that, after
five years, it was to pass into his hands alto-
gether, being restricted in its operations to the
territories of the United States. This company
was snsi>ended by the war with Great Britain,
which ininiedintely followed. At the close of
hostilities, British traders were prohibited by
law from pursuing their calling within the
jurisdiction of the United States. The result
was the southwest company closed up its affairs,
and the American fur company re-appeared un-
der the exclusive control of Astor, who estab-
lished his western headquarters at Mackinaw,
operating extensively in what is now Wiscon-
sin, especially at La Pointe, upon Lake Sujierior,
where large warehouses were erected; a siock-
ade built, lands cleared, farms opened, dwell-
ings and stores put up. But English traders
evaded the law by sen .ing their goods into the
United States in the name of American clerks
in their employ. These goods being of supe-
rior quality to those furnished by Astor, they
continued to command the Indian trade to a
large extent. It was only when the American
prince of fur-traders was enabled to import
goods to New York of equal quality and send
them by way of the lakes, that he could success-
fully compete with his rivals and in the end
drive them from the fieM.
At the commencement of the war with (iieat
Britain the few settlers at Green Bay and
Prairie du Chien depended largely u])i m the
fur trade for their living, monojiolized, as we
have seen, at that period, by British traders.
At the beginning of hostilities this depeiidency
was proniptlj' secured to the latter by the ca])-
lure, from the Americans, of the post at Macki-
naw. Naturally enough most of the people of
Wisconsin, limited in number as they were, ad-
hered to the English during the continuance of
hostilities. As to the Indian tribes, witliin
what are now the limits of the State, it may be
said that, in a measure, they, too, all arraye<l
themselves on the side of Great Britain. The
Menomonees and Winnebagoes took part in the
30
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
capture of Mackinaw, and subsequently in other
enterprises against the Americans. Indeed,
all the tribes in the northwest were firmly at-
tached to the English by reciprocal interest Iti
the fur trade, from which ihey derived their
supplies. Great Britain had never ceased since
the Revolution to foster their friendship by the
liberal distribution annually of presents; hence,
they were ready when the War of 1812-15 was
inaugurated to take up the hatchet against the
Americans. Just before hostilities began, the
English traders were especially active in excit-
ing the Indians against the Americans, more es-
pecially against American traders. Robert
Dickson, a resident of Prairie du Chien, an
Englishman by birth, was among the foremost
in stirring up the animosity of the savages.
Soon after the declaration of war he collected a
body of Indians at Green Bay for the purpose
of rendering assistance to the British forces in
their operations on the lakes and in the north-
west; they were principally Pottawattamies,
Kickapoos, Ottawas, Winnebagoes and Sacs,
the last mentioned being Black Hawk's band.
This chief was made commander-in-chief of the
savages there assembled, by Dickinson, and
sent to join the British army under Proctor.
The English early succeeded in securing the
Wisconsin Indian tribes as their allies in this
war; and having taken Mackinaw in Jul}', 1812,
they were, virtually, put in possession of what
is now the eastern portion of the State. Early
in 1814, the government authorities of the
United States caused to be fitted out at St.
Louis a large boat, having on board all tiie men
that could be mustered and spared from the
lower country, and sent up the Mississippi to
protect the upper region and the few settlers
therein. The troops landed at Prairie du Chien,
and immediately proceeded to fortify. Not
long after. Col. McKay, of the British army,
crossing the country by course of the Fox and
Wisconsin rivers, with over 500 British and In-
dians, received the surrender of the whole
orce. The ofiicers and men were paroled and
sent down the river. This was the only battle
fought upon Wisconsin soil during the last war
with England. The post at Prairie du Chien
was left in command of a captain with two
companies from Mackinaw. He remained there
until after the peace of 1815, when the place
was evacuated by the British.
On the 3d of August, 1814, an expedition of
about 300 men. under command of Maj. Zachary
Taylor, left St. Louis in boats for the upper
Mississippi. When they arrived at Rock Is-
land they found the British there, apparently
in force, with a battery on shore commanding
the river. A severe fight took place, but after
sustaining a loss of several killed and wounded
the Americans returned to St. Louis. The
British afterwards left Rock Island, and upon
the signing of the treaty of peace by the envoys
of the two governments, and the ratification of
the same, the whole northwest, including Fort
McKay at Prairie du Chien, was evacuated by
British forces.
When it was made known to the Indian
tribes of the west some of them upon the Miss-
issippi wei-e willing and eager to make treaties
with the United States. A lucrative trade
sprung up between the merchants of St. Louis
and the traders and Indians up that river.
Goods were periodically sent up the river to
traders, who in turn transmitted in payment, by
the same boats, furs and lead. But, generally,
the savages hovered sullenly around the now
rapidly increasing settlements in the territoiies
of Michigan and Illinois, and the general gov-
ernment began to consider in earnest how the
influence of British intercourse might be
checked, for the savages were still encouraged
by English traders in their unfriendly disposi-
tion and supplied with arms by them. Accord-
ingly, in the winter after the close of the war.
Congress prohibited foreign trade in the ter-
ritory of the United Slates; and, in the summer
following, steps were taken to make this policy
effectual, by establishing a chain of military
posts near the Canadian frontier and upon the
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
31
principal lines of communication thence into the
interior. The.se posts were to be occupied by
Indian agents, with factories, or government
stores, de.signed to supply the place of the pro-
hibited traffic.
On the 2l8t of June, 1816, United States
troops took possession of the fort at Prairie du
Chien. During the next month three schooners
entered Fox river of Green bay, under the
American flag, displaying to the astonished
inhabitants of tiie small settlement upon that
stream near its mouth, their decks covered with
government troops. They were under command
of Col. John Miller, of the Third United States
Infantry, whose purpose was the establishment
of a garrison near the head of the bay. The
rendezvous of the troops was upon the east side
some distance up the river, and was called
"Camp Smith." At the end of two months the
garrison was established in barracks enclosed
with a stockade. Camp Smith was occupied
until 1820, when a more substantial struc-
ture was erected on the west side of the
stream near its mouth, and named Fort Howard.
The settlement at Green Bay was made up at
the close of the war, of about forty or fifty
French Canadians. The inhabitants (as at
Prairie du Chien) were now for a time the
subjects of military rule. "They received the
advent of the troops in a hospitable spirit, and
acquiesced in the authority asserted over them,
with little evidence of discontent, mainfaiiiiiig
a character for docility and freedom from tur-
bulence of disposition remarkably in contrast
with their surroundings. Military authority
was, in the main, exerteii for the preservation
of order." There was no civil authority worth
speaking of. It was at a period when important
changes were taking place. That sonielinu-s
military authority, under such circumstances,
should iiave been exercised in an arbitrary
manner, is not at all a matter of surprise. "The
conduct of the soldiery was also sometimes
troublesome and offensive ; as a rule, how-
ever, harmonious relations existed between
them and the citizens. The abuses were only
such as were unavoidable, in the absence of any
lawful restraint on the one hand, or means of
redress on the other." This state of affairs did
not long continue, as initiatory steps were not
long after taken to extend over the community
both here and at Prairie du Chien the pro-
tection of civil government.
The Indians of Wisconsin, upon the arrival
of United States troops at Prairie du Chien and
Green ba>, gave evident signs of a disposition
to remain friendly, although some thought the
advent of soldiers an intrusion. An Iiulian
agency under John Boyer and a United States
factory, well supplied with goods, with Major
Matthew Irwin at its head, were soon established
at the bay ; a factory at Prairie du Cliien,
under charge of John W. Johnson, was also
started. The Menemonee and Winnebago tribes,
the former upon Green bay, the latter upon the
Fox and Wisconsin rivers, were now brought
into nearer relations with the United Stales.
WISCOXSIN AS A PART OF MICHIGAN TBRRITORY.
Upon the admission of Illinois into the
Union, in 1818, all "the territory of the United
States, northwest of the River Ohio," lying west
of Michigan territory and north of the States of
Indiana and Illinois, was attached to and made
a part of Michigan territory; by which act the
whole of the present State of Wisconsin came
under the jurisdiction of the latter. At the
close of the last war with Great Britian, Wis-
consin began in earnest to be occui>ie<l by
Americans. But the latter were still ftw in
number when the country west of Lake Michi-
gan was attached to Michigan territory. Now,
however, that tlie laws of the United States were
in reality extended over them, they beg.in to
feel as though they were not altogether beyond
the protection of a government of their own,
notwithstanding they were surrounded by
Indian tribes. On the 20th of Cctober, 1818,
the governor of the territory erected by ])iocia-
mation three counties lying in whole or in part
in what is now Wisconsin— Brown, Crawford
32
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
and Michilimackinac. The county of Michili-
mackinac not only included all of the present
State of Wisconsin lyinsr nortli of a line drawn
due west from near the head of tiie Little Noquet
bay, but territory east and west of it, so as to
reach from Lake Huron to the Mississippi river.
Its county seat was established "at the Borough
of Michilimackinac." The wliole area in Michi-
gan territory south of the county of Michili-
mackinac, and west of Lake Michigan formed the
two counties of Brown and Crawford; the
former to include the area east of a line drawn
due nortli and south through tlic middle of the
portage between the Fox river of Green bay and
the Wisconsin; the latter to include the whole
region west of that line. Prairie du Chien was
designated as the county seat of Crawford;
Green Bay, of Brown county. On the 22d of
December, 1820, a county named Chippewa was
formed from the northern portions of Michili-
mackinac, including the southern shores of Lake
Superior throughout its entire length, and ex-
tending from tlie straits leading from that lake
into Lake Huron, west to the western boumlary
line oS ^Michigan territory, with the county seat
"at such point in the vicinity of the Snult de
Ste. Marie, as a majority of the county com-
missio-ers to l)i- ap[)oiTited shall designate."
Embraced within this county — its southern
boundary being the parallel of 46 degrees 81 min-
utes north latitude- was all the territory of the
]jresent State of Wisconsin now bordering on
Lake Superior. Brown and Crawford counties
were .soon organized, the offices being filled by
.■ippointTuents of the governor. County courts
were also established, to which appeals were
taken frinn justices of the peace. In January,
i-S23, a distiict court was established by an act
of Congress, for the counties last mentioned,
including also Michilimackinac. One term
iluriiig the year was held in eacli county. James
Duatie Doty was the judge of this court to May,
18;!2, when he was succeeded by David Irvin.
1 he United States were not unmindful of her
citizens to the westward of Lake Michigan, in
several other important matters. Indian agencies
were established; treaties were held with some
of the native tribes, and land claims of white
settlers at Green Bay and Prairie du Chien
adjusted. Postmasters were also appointed at
these two places.
In 1825 and the two following years, a general
attention was called to the lead mines in what
is now the southwestern portion of the State.
Different places therein were settled with
American miners. In June, 1827, the Winne-
bago Indians became hostile; this caused the
militia of Prairie du Chien to be called out.
United States troops ascended the Wisconsin
river to quell the disturbance. There they were
joined by Illinois volunteers, and the Winneba-
goes awed into submission. Fort Winnebago
was thereupon erected by the general govern-
ment at the portage, near the present site of
Portage, Columbia Co., Wis. A treaty with the
Indians followed, and there was no more trouble
because of mining operations in the "lead
region." On the 9th of October, 1829, a county
was formed of all that part of Crawford lying
south of the Wisconsin, and named Iowa. In
1831 the United States purchased of the Men-
omonees all their lands east of Green bay,
Winnebago lake and the Fox and Milwaukee
rivers. The general government, before this
date, had, at several periods, held treaties with
the Sac and Fox Indians. And the time had
now come when the two tribes were to leave
the eastern for the western side of the Misssi-
sippi river; but a band headed by Black Hawk
refused to leave their village near Rock Island,
111. They contended that they h;id not sold
their town to the United States; and upon their
return early in 1831, from a hunt across the
Mississippi, finding their village and fields in
possession of the whites, they determined to
repossess their homes at all hazards. Tliis was
looked upon, or called, an encroachment by the
settlers; so the governor of Illinois took the
responsibility of declaring the State invaded,
and asked the United States to drive the refrac-
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
S3
.tory Indians beyond the Mississippi. The
result was, the Indian village was destroyed by
Illinois volunteers. This and the threatened
advance across the river by the United States
commander, brought Black Hawk and his fol-
lowers to terras. They sued for peace — agree-
ing to remain forever on the west side of the
Mississippi. But this truce was of short dura-
tion.
Early in the spring of 1832, Black Hawk hav-
ing assembled his forces on the Mississippi in
the vicinity of the locality where Fort Madison
had stood, crossed that stream and ascended
Rock river. 'Ihis was the signal for war. The
governor of Illinois made a call for volunteers,
anil in a brief space of time 1,800 had
a.ssenibled at Beardstown, Cass county. They
maiched for the mouth of Rock river, where a
council of war was held by their officers and
Brigadier-General Henry Atkinson, of the reg-
ular forces. The Indians were sent word by
General Atkinson that they must return and re-
cross the Mississippi or they would be driven
back by force. When the attempt was made to
compel them to go back a collision occurred
between the Illinois militia and Black Hawk's
braves, resulting in the discomfiture of the
former with the loss of eleven men. Soon af-
terward the volunteers were disdiarged, and
the first campaign of Black Hawk's War was at
an end This was in May, 1832. In June fol-
lowing a new force had been raised and put
under the command of General Atkinson, who
commenced his march up Rock river. Before
this there had been a general "forting" in the
lead region, in Illinois, and including the whole
country in what is now Southwest Wisconsin,
notwithstanding which a number of settlers
had been killed by the savages, mostly in Illi-
nois. Squads of volunteers, in two or three in-
stances, had encountered the Indians, and in
one with entire succes.s — upon the Pecatonica,
in the present Lafayette Co., Wis. — every sav-
age (and there were seventeen of them) being
killed. The loss of the volunteers was three
killed and wounded. Atkinson's march up
Rock river was attended with some skirmish-
ing, when, being informed that Black Hawk
and his force were at Lake Koshkonong, in the
southwest corner of what is now JeflEorson Co.,
Wis., he itnmediately moved thither with a
portion of his army, where the whole force was
ordered to concentrate. But the Sac chief,
with his people, had flown. Colonels Henry
Dodge and James D. Henry, with the forces
under them, discovered the trail of the savages,
leading in the direction of Wisconsin river. It
was evident that the retreating force was large,
and that it had but recently passed. The pur-
suing troops hastened their march. On the
21st of July, 18T2, they arrived at the hills
which skirt the left bank of that stream, in
what is now Roxbury town (township), Dane
county. Here was Black Hawk's whole force,
including women and children, the aged and
infirm, hastening by every effort to escape
across the river. But that this might now be
effected it became necessary for that chief to
make a firm stand, to cover the retreat. The
Indians were in the bottom lands when the ]>ur-
suing whites made their appearance upon the
heiglits in their rear. Colonel Dodge occupied
the front and sustained the first attack of the
Indians. He was soon joined by Henry with
his force, when they obtained a complete vic-
tory. The action commenced about 5 o'clock
in the afternoon and ended at sunset. The
enemy sustained a loss, it is said, of about sixty
killed and a large number wounded.* The loss
of the Americans was one killed and eight
wounded. During the following night Black
Hawk made his escape down the Wisconsin.
He was pursued and finally brought to a stand
on the Mississippi near the mouth of the Bad
Axe, on the western boundary of what is now
Vernon Co., Wis.; and on the 2d of August
attacked on all sides by the Americans, who
soon obtained a complete victory. Black Hawk
esca))ed, but was soon after captured. This
ended the war.
*lllack thiwk ^ivrQ ii \ ri-y rtlfforoitt n<'ooniit ap to hi:^
Inss "In Ibis skiiniisli." snys lie, "with Itfty braves I de-
fcn'UHl and Hcconiplisht-d my i)U«sago over thi* Wisconaiii
with a loss of nuly sijt men."
34
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
The survey of public lands to which the In-
dian title had been extinguished; the erection
of Milwaukee county from the southern part of
Brown; the changing of the eastern boundary
of Fowa county to correspond with the western
one of Milwaukee county; the attaching, for
judicial purposes, of all the country west of the
Mississippi river and north of the State of Mis-
souri to the territory of Michigan in 1834, and
the division of it into the two counties of Des
Moines and Dubuque, were the important events
following the close of the Black Hawk war.
The prospective admission of the State of
Michigan into the Union, to include all that
part of the territory lying east of Lake Michi-
gan, caused, on the 1st of January, 1836, a ses-
sion (the first one) of the seventh territorial
council, to legislate for so much of the terri-
tory as lay to the westward of that lake, to be
held at Green Bay, when a memorial was
adopted, asking Congress for the formation of
a new territory, to include all of Michigan ter-
ritory not to be admitted as a State. This re-
([uest, it will now be seen, was soon complied
with by the National Legislature.
CHAPTER II.
WISCONSIN AS A TERRITORY.
The Territory of Wisconsin* was erected by
act of Congress of April 20, 1836, to take effect
from and after the 3d day of July following.
♦Wisconsin takes its name from its principal river,
which drains an extensive portion of its surface. It rises in
Ijake Vieux Desert (which is partly in Michigan and partly
In Wisconsin), flows generally a south course to Portage in
what is now Columhia county, where it turns to the south-
we-t, and after a further course of 118 miles, with a rapid
cuiTCnt. reaches the Mississippi river, four miles below Prai-
rie du Chien. Its entire length is about iriO miles, descending,
in that distance, a little more than 1,000 feet. Along the
lower portion of the stream are the high lands, or river hills.
Some of these hills present high and precipitous faces to-
ward the water. Others terminate ia knobs. The name is
supposed to have been taken from this feature: the word
being derived from ?7ii-s-i.s, great, and ns-sin, a stone or rock.
Compare Shea's Discovoil fold Explnratinn of the MissiJi-
sinpi. pp. 6 (note* and 2fi8; Foster's Mississippi VaUeu, p. 2
motel; Schoolcraft's Tliirty Tears with the Indian Tribe)!, p.
2'nand note.
Two definitions of the word are current — as widel.v differ-
ing from each other as from the one just given. (See Wis.
Hist. Soc. Coll., Vol. I , p. Ill, and (Vebster's Die, Una-
bi-idged. p. 16-32.) The first— "the gathering of the waters"—
has no corresponding words in Algonquin at all resembliug
the name; the same may be said of the second— "wild rush-
ing channel." (See Otchipwe Die. of Kev. P. Baragii.
Since first used by the French the word ' 'Wisconsin" has
'inderg(^ne considerable change. On the map by Joliet, re-
cently brought to light by Gravier, it is given as "Miskon-
«'ng " In Marquette's journal, published by Thevenot. in
Paris. 1681. it is noted as the "Meskousing." It appeared
ihereforthe first time in print. Hennepin, in 1683, wrote
••Qnisconsin" and "Misconsin;" Charlevoix. 1743. "Ouis-
consin:" Carver. 1766, "Ouisconsin" (English— "Wiscou-
sin"); since which last mentioned date the orthography has
been uniform.— Butterfleld's IHacmx/ry of Wi« Nurthwest in
It was made to include all that part of the late
Michigan territory described within boundaries
"commencing at the northeast corner of the
State of Illinois, running thence through the
middle of Lake Michigan to a point opposite
the main channel of Green bay; thence tlirough
that channel and the bay to the mouth of the
Menomonee river; thence up that stream to its
head, which is nearest the lake of the Desert;
thence to the middle of that lake; thence down
the Montreal river to its mouth; thence with a
direct line across Lake Superior to where the
territorial line of the United States! ast touches
the lake northwest; thence on the north, witli
the territorial line, to the White Earth river;
on the west by a line drawn down the middle
of the main cliannel of that stream to the Mis-
souri river, and down the middle of the main
channel of the last mentioned stream to thf
northwest corner of the State of Missouri; and
thence with the boundaries of the States of
Missouri and Illinois, as already fixed by act of
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
35
Congress, to the place or point of beginning."
Its counties were Brown, Milwaukee, Iowa,
Crawford, Dubuque and Des Moines, witli a
portion of Chippewa and Michiliraackinac un-
organized. Henry Dodge was commissioned
governor April :S0, li^-SC; Charles Dunn, chief
justice, and David Trvin and William C. Frazer
associate justices; by Andrew Jackson, Presi-
dent of the United States. The following were
the secretaries, attorneys and marshals, with
the dates of their commissions who held
office while the territory was in existence :
SBCRBTARIES.
John S. Horner, May 0, 1836; William B.
Slaughter, Feb. 16, 1837; Francis I. Dunn, Jan.
25, 1841; Alexander P. Field, April 23, 1841;
George Floyd, Oct. 30. 1843; John Catlin, Feb.
24, 1846.
UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS.
W. W. Chapman, May 6, 1836; Moses M.
Strong, July 5, 1838; Thomas W. Sutherland,
April 27, 1841; William P. Lynde, July 14,
1845.
UNITED STATES MARSHALS.
Francis Gehon, May 6, 1836; Edward James,
June 19, 1838; Daniel Ilugunin, March 15,
1841; Charles M. Prevost, Aug. 31, 1844; John
S. Rockwell, March 14, 1845.
The first important measure to he looked af-
ter by Governor Dodge upon his assuming, in
the spring of 1836, the executive chair of the
territory was the organization of the territorial
Legislature. A census showed the following
population east of the Mississippi : Milwaukee
county, 2,893; Brown county, 2,706; Crawford
county, 850; Iowa county. 5,234. Total, 1 1,683.
The enumeration for the two counties west of
the Mississippi was — Des Moities, 6,257; Du-
buque, 4,274. Total, 10,531. The population,
therefore, of both sides of the river aggregated
22,214. The legislative apportionment, made
by the governor, gave to the territory thirteen
councilmen and twenty-six representatives.
These, of course, were to be elected by the peo-
ple. The election was held Oct. 10, 1836.
Belmont, in the present county of Lafayette,
Wis., was appointed as the place for the meet-
ing of the Legislature, where the first session
began October 25. A quorum of each house
was in attendance. Henry S. Baird, of Green
Bay, wai elected president of the council, and
Peter H. Engle speaker of the house.
The following persons served as presidents
of the council while Wisconsin was a territory :
First session, first Legislative Assembly,
Henry S. Baird, Brown county.
Second session, first Legislative Assembly,
Arthur R. Ingraham, Des Moines county.
Special session, first Legislative Assembly,
Arthur R. Ingraham, Des Moines county.
First session, second Legislative Assembly,
William Bullen, Racine county.
Second session, second Legislative Assembly,
James Collins, Iowa county.
Third session, second Legislative Assembly,
James Collins, Iowa county.
Fourth (extra) session, second Legislative
Assembly, William A. Prentiss, Milwaukee
county.
First session, third Legislative Assembly.
James Maxwell, W^alworth county.
Second session, third Legislative Assembly,
James Collins, Iowa county.
First session, fourth Legislative Assembly,
Moses M. Strong, Iowa county.
Second session, fourth Legislative Assembly,
Marshal M. Strong, Racine county.
Third session, fourth Legislative Assembly,
Moses M. Strong, Iowa county.
Fourth session, fourth Legislative Assembly,
Nelson Dewey, Grant county.
First session, fifth Legislative Assembly,
Horatio N. Wells, Milwaukee county.
>'pecial session, fifth Legislative Assembly,
Horatio N. Wells, Milwaukee county.
Second session, fifth Legislative Assembly,
Horatio N. Wells, Milwaukee county.
The following persons served as speakers of
the House during llie t-.intinu.iiioe i>f Wisi-ou-
sin territorv :
36
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
First session, first Legislative Assembly,
Peter H. Engle, Dubuque county.
Sec.ontl session, first Legislative Assembly,
Isaac Leffler, Des Moines county.
Special session, first Legislative Assembly,
William B. Sheldon, Milwaukee county.
First session, second Legislative Assembly,
John W. Blackstone, Iowa county.
Second session, second Legislative Assembly,
Lucius I. Barber, Milwaukee county.
Third session, second Legislalive Assembly,
Edward V. Whiton, Rock county.
Fourth (extra) session, second Legislative
Assembly, Nelson Dewey, Grant county.
First session, third Legislative Assembly,
David Newland, Iowa county.
Second session, third Legislative Assembly
David Newland, Iowa county.
First session, fourth Legislative Assembly,
Albert G. Ellis, Portage county.
Second session, fourth Legislative Assembly,
George H. Walker, Milwaukee county.
Third session, fourth Lesjislative Assembly,
George II. Walker, Milwaukee counly.
Fourth session, fourth Legislative Assembly,
Mason C. Darling, Fond du Lac county.
First session, fifth Legislative Assembly,
William Shew, Milwaukee county.
Special session, fifth Legislative Assembly,
Isaac P. Walker, Milwaukee county.
Second session, fifth Legislative Assembly,
Timothy i3urns, Iowa county.
Each of the tiiree branches of the infant gov-
ernment was now (October, 1836) in working
order, except that it remained for the Legisla-
tive Assembly to divide the territory into three
judicial districts, the number required bv the
organic act, and make an assignment of the
judges. This was speedily done. Crawford
and Iowa constituted the first district, to which
the chief justice was assigned; Dubuque and
Dc'S Moines the second, to which judge Irvin
was assigned; and Judge Frazer to the third,
consisting of Milwaukee and Brown counties.
The principal matters engaging the attention
of the legislators were the permanent location
of the capitol, the erection of new counties and
the location of county seats. Madison was fixed
upon as the seat of government; and nine coun-
ties were erected east of the Mississippi: Wal
worth, Racine, Jefferson, Dane, Dodge, Wash-
ington, Rock, Grant and Green. West of the
river six counties were set off: Lee, Van
Buren, Henry, Louisa, Muscatine and Cook.
The Legislature adjourned sine die, Dec. 9,
1886. Tiie first term of the supreme court was
held at Belmont on the the 8th day of Decem-
ber, of that year. The appointment of a clerk,
crier and reporter, and the admission of several
attorneys to practice, completed the business of
the first term. The following persons served
as clerks while Wisconsin was a territory:
John Catlin, appointed at December term,
1836; Simeon Mills, appointed at Jul)' term,
18.39; La Fayette Kellogg, appointed at July
term, 1840. Gov. Dodge, appointed Dec. 8, 18.36,
Henry S. Baird, as attorney general. His
successors were as follows:
Horatio N. Wells, appointed by Gov. Dodge,
March :30, 1839; Mortimer M. Jackson, ap-
pointed by Gov. Dodge, Jan. 26, 1842; William
Pitt Lynde, appointed by Gov. Talimage, Feb.
22, 1845; A. Hyatt Smith, appointed by Gov.
Dodge Aug. 4, 1845. Upon the organization of
the territory in 1830, it was necessary that it
should be represented in the National Legisla-
ture; so on the day of the election of the terri-
torial Legislature, George W. Jones, of Iowa
county, was chosen a delegate in Congress. His
successors were:
James Duane Doty, elected Sept. 10, 1838;
James Duane Doty, elected Aug. 5, 1840; Henry
Dodge, elected Sept. 21, 1841; Henry Dodge,
elected Sept. 25, 1843; Morgan L. Martin,
elected Sept. 22, 1845; John H. Tweedy,
elected Sept. 6, 1847.
At the close of the year 1836, there was no
land in market east of the Mississippi, except a
narrow strip along the shore of Lake Michigan,
and in the vicinity of Green bay. The residue
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
37
of tlie country south and east of the Wisconsin
and Fox rivers was open only to pre-emption by
actual settlers. Tiie Indian tribes still claimed
a larye portion ot the lands. On the north were
located the Chippewas. The soutliern limits
of their possessions were defined by a line drawn
from a point on that stream in about latitude
46 degrees 31 minutes in a southeasterly direc-
tion to the head of Lake St. Croix; thence in
the same general direction to what is now
Stevens Point, in tlie present Portage Co., W's.;
thence nearly east to Wolf river; and thence in
a direction nearly northeast to the Menomonee
river. Between the Wisconsin river and the
Mississippi, and extending north to the south
line of the Chippewas was the territory of th»
Winnehagoes. Eastof the Winnebagocs in the
country north of the Fox river of Green bay
were located the Menomonees, their lands ex-
tending to Wolf river. Sucli was the general
outline of Indian occupancy in Wisconsin terri-
tory, east of the Mississippi, at its organization.
A portion of the country east of Wolf river and
north of Green bay and the Fox rivei'; tiie
wliole of the area lying south of Green bay,
Fox river and the Wisconsin, ctmstituted the
extent of country over which the Indians Iiad
no claim. In this region, as we have seen, was
a populatian of about 12,000, it was made np
of the scattered settlers at tiie lead mines;
the military establishments, (I'ort Crawford,
Fort Winnebago and Fort Howard), and settli-
ments at or near them; and the village of
Milw aukee; these were about all the parts of
the territory east of the Mississippi, at that
date, occupied to any extent by the whites.
The second session of the first Legislative As-
sembly of the territory of Wi.<consin, began at
Burlington, now the county seatof Des Moines
Co., Iowa, Nov. 0, 1837, and adjourned .Tan. -JO,
183H, to the second Monday of June following.
Tlu' |)rincipal acts passe 1 were, one for taking
another census; one al)olishing imprisonment for
debt; another regulating the s;ile of scliool
lauds and to prepare for organizing, reg-
ulating and perfecting schools. There
was also one passed incorporating the
Milwaukee and Rock River Canal Company.
This was approved by the governor, Jan. 5,
1838. By an act of Congress approved June 18
of the same year, a grant of land was made to
aid in the construction of the canal. The grant
consisted of the odd-numbered sections on a
belt of ten miles in width from Lake Michigan
to Rock river, amounting to 139,190 acres. Of
those lands 43,447 acres were sold at public
sale in July, 1839, at the minimum price
of $2.50 per acre. W^ork was commenced on
the canal at Milwaukee, and the Milwaukee
river for a short distance from its outlet was
improved by the construction of a dam across
the river, which was made available for manu-
facturing and other purposes. A canal was
also built about a mile in length and forty
feet wide, leading from it down on the west
bank of the river. Much dissatisfaction subse-
(juently arose; the purchasers at this sale, and
others occupying these canal and reserved
lands felt the injustice of being compelled to
pay double price for their lands, and efforts
were made to repeal all laws authorizing fur-
thersales, and to ask Congress to repeal the act
making this grant. The legislation on the sub-
ject of this grant is voluminous. In 18G2 the
Legislature of the State passed an act to ascer-
tain and settle the liabilities, if any, of Wis-
cotisin and the company, and a board of com-
missioners was appointed for that purpose. At
the session of the Legislature in 1SC3, the com-
mittee made a report with a lengthy opinion of
the attorney-general of the State. The views
of that officer were, that the company had no
valid claims for damages against the State. In
this opinion the commissioners concurred. On
the 23d of March, 1875, an act was approved by
the governor, giving authority to the attorney-
general to discharge and release of record any
mortgage before executed to the late territory
of Wisconsin given to secure the purchase
money or any part thereof of any lands granted
by Congress to aid in the construction of this
canal. 'I'he quantity of lands unsold was sub-
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
seqnently made a part of the 500,000 acre tract
granted by Congress for school purposes. It is
believed the whole matter is now closed
against further legislative enactments.
There was another important act parsed by
the territorial Legislature of 1837-8, by which
fourteen counties were erected, but all of them
west of the Mississippi. The census having
been taken in May, a special session of the
first Legislative Assembly was commenced June
11, 1838, at Burlington, continuing to June 25, of
that year. This session was pursuant to an
adjournment of the previous one, mainly for
the purpose of making a new apportionment of
members. The population of the several
counties east of the Mississippi was, by the
May census, 18,149. By an act of Congress,
approved June 12, 1838, it was provided that
from and after the 3d day of July following, all
that part of Wisconsin territory lying west of
that river and west of a line drawn due north
from its headwaters or sources to the territorial
line for the purposes of a territorial govern-
ment should be set apart and known by the
name of Iowa. It was further enacted that
the territory of Wisconsin should thereafter
extend westward only to the Mississippi. Be-
cause of the passage of this act, the one passed
at the special session of the territorial Legisla-
ture making an apportionment of members, be-
came nugatory — that duty now devolving
upon Gov. Doty. On the third Monday of July,
1838, the annual term of supreme court was
held at Madison this, of course, being the first
one after the re-organization of the territory;
the previous one was not held, as there was no
business for the court. On the 18th of October,
Judge Frazer died, and on the 8th of Novem-
ber, Andrew G. Miller was appointed his suc-
cessor, by Martin Van Buren, President of ilie
United States.
The Legislature of the re-organized territory
of Wisconsin met at Madison for the first time
— it being the first session of the second Legis-
lative Assembly — Nov. 26, 1838. Its attention
was directed to the mode in which the commis-
sioners of public buildings had discharged their
duties. There was an investigation of three
banks then in operation in the territory — one
at Green Bay, one at Mineral Point, and the
other at Milwaukee. A plan, also, for the
revision of the laws of the territory was con-
sidered. A new assignment was made for the
holding of district courts. Chief Justice Dunn
was assigned to the first district, composed of
the counties of Iowa, Grant and Crawford;
Judge Irvin to the second, composed of the
counties of Dane, Jefferson, Rock, Walworth
and Green; while Judge Miller was assigned to
the third district, composed of Milwaukee,
Brown and Racine counties — including therein
the unorganized counties of Washington and
Dodge, which, for judicial purposes, were,
when constituted, by name and boundary, at-
tached to Milwaukee county. 'I he Legislature
adjourned on the 22d of December, to meet
again on the 21st of the followinsr month. Tiie
census having been taken during the year, it
was found that the territory had a population
,.f 18,130, an increase in two years, of 6,-147.
The second session of the second Legislative
Assembly began Jan. 21, 1839, agreeable to
adjournment. An act was passed during this ses-
sion legalizing a revision of the laws which had
been perfected by a committee previously; this
act took effect July 4, and composed the princi-
pal part of the laws forming the revised statutes
of 1839. The session ended March 11, 1839.
On the 8th of March of this year, Henry Dodge,
whose term for three years as governor was
about to expire, was again commissioned by
the President of the United States. At the
July term of the supreme court, all the judges
were present, and several cases were heard and
decided. A seal for the court was also adopted.
From this time, the supreme court met annu-
ally, as provided by law, until Wisconsin be-
came a State.
The next Legislature assembled at Madison,
on the 2d of December, 1839. This was the
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
39
third session of the second Legislative Assem-
bly of the territory. The term for which raem-
berB of the house were elected would soon
expire ; it was therefore desirable that a new
apportionment should be made. As the census
would be taken the ensuing June, by the
United States, it would be unnecessary for the
territory to make an additional enumeration.
A short session was resolved upon, and then
an adjournment until after the completion of
the census. One of the subjects occupying
largely the attention of the members, was tlie
condition of the capitol, and the conduct of the
commissioners intrusted with the money ap-
propriated by Congress to defray the cost of its
construction. These commissioners were James
Duane Doly, A. A. Bird and .John F. O'Neill.
They received their appointment from ttie
general government. Work began on the
building in June, ISST, the corner stone being
laid witii appropriate ceremonies July 4. During
that year and the previous one, Congress ap-
propriated %40,00n, Dane county S4,00(i, and
the territorial Legislature, about §16,000, for
the structure ; so that the entire cost was about
$60,000. The building, when finished, was a
substantial structure, wliiuh, in architectural
design and convenience of arrangement, com-
pared favorably with the ca])ito!s of adjacent
and older Slates. Tlie capitol proving inade-
quate to the growing wants of the Slate, the
Legislature of I S.iT provided for its enlarge-
ment. By this act, the commissioners of school
and university lands were directed to sell the
ten sections of land appropriated by (Congress
"for the completion of public buildings,'' and
apply the proceeds toward enlarging and im-
proving the State capitol. The State also ap-
propriated $.30,000 for the same object, and
ISO, 000 was given by the city of Madison.
The governor and secretary of Stale were
made commissioners for conducting llie work,
which was begun in the fall of 1857, and con-
tinued from year to year until 1869, when the
dome was completed. The Legislature of 18^2
appropriated $200,000 for the construction of
two transverse wings to the capitol building,
one on the north and the other on the south
sides thereof, in order to provide additional
room for the State historical society, the
supreme court, the State library, and for the
increasing work of the State offices. The gov-
ernor, secretary of Slate, attorney general,
with others, representing the supreme court
and the historical society, were made commis-
sioners for carrying out the work. The cost
will be within the amount appropriated by the
State. The total appropriations for the en-
largement of the capitol and for the improve-
ment of the park, to the present time, are $629,
992.54. This does not include the sum of
$0,500 appropriated in 1875, for macadamizing
to the center of the streets around the park,
nor the $200,000 appropriated in 1882. The
park is 914 feet square, cornering north, soulli,
east and west, contains fourteen and four-tenths
acres, and is situated on an elevation command-
ing a view of the third and fourth lakes and
the surrounding country. In the center of tlie
square stands the capitol. The height of the
building from the basement to the top of tin-
flag staff is 225^ feet, while the total length of
its north and south wings, exclusive of steps
and porticoes, with the addition of the new
wings, is 396 feet, and of the east and west
wings, 226 feet.
Tiie Legislature of 18.39-40, adjourned Janu-
ary 13, to meet again on the 3d of the ensuing
August. The completion of the federal census
of 1840 showed a population for the territory of
30,744. Upon the re-assembling of the Legisla-
ture — which is known as the extra session of
the second Legislative Assembly — some changes
were made in the apportionment of members to
the House of Representatives. The session
lasted but a few days, a final adjournment
taking place Aug. 14, 1840. The first session
of the third Legislative Assembly began Dec. 7,
1S40, and ended Feb. 19, 1841, with only three
members who had served in the previous Assem-
40
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
bly. All had recently been elected under the
new apportionment.
On the 13lh of September, 1S41, Gov. Dodge
was removed from office by John Tyler, then
President of the United States, and James
Duane Doty appointed in his place, the com-
mission of the latter being dated the 5th of
October following.
The second session of the third Legislative
Assembly began at Madison, on the 6th of
December, 1841. Gov. Doty, in his message to
that body, boldly avowed the doctrine that no
law of the territory was effective until expressly
approved by Congress. This construction of
the organic act resulted in a lengthy warfare
between the governor and the Legislative As-
sembly. On the nth of February, 1842, an
event occurred in the Legislative council, caus-
ing a great excitement over the whole territory.
On that day, Charles C. P. Arndt, a member
from Brown county, was, while that body was
in session, shot dead by James R. Vineyard, a
member from Grant county. The difficulty
grew out of a debate on a motion to lay on the
table the nomination of Enos S. Baker to the
office of sheriff of Grant county. Immediately
before adjournment of the council, the parties
who had come together, after loud and angry
words had been spoken, were separated by the
by-standers. When an adjournment had been
announced, they met again ; whereupon Arndt
struck at Vineyard. The latter then drew a
pistol and shot Arndt. He died in a few mo-
ments. Vineyard immediately surrendered him-
self to the sheriff of the county, waived an ex-
amination, and was committed to jail. After a
short confinement, he was brought before the
chief justice of the territory, on a writ of habects
corpus, and admitted to bail. He was after-
ward indicted for manslaughter, was tried and
acquitted. Three days after shooting Arndt,
Vineyard sent in his resignation as member of
the council. That body refused to receive it,
or to have it read even ; but at once expelled
him. The second and last session of the third
Legislative Assembly came to a close Feb. 18,
1842.
For the next six years there were seven ses-
sions of the territorial legislature, as follows:
First session, 4th Legislative Assembly, com-
menced Dec. 5, 1842, ended April 17, 1843;
second sesssion, 4th Legislative Assembly, com-
menced Dec. 4, 1843, ended Jan. 31, 1844;
third session, 4th Legislative Assembly, com-
menced Jan. C, 1845, ended Feb. 24, 1845;
fourth session, 4th Legislative Assembly, com-
menced Jan 5, 1 846, ended Feb. 3, 1846; first ses-
sion, 5th Legislative Assembly, commenced Jan. 4,
1847, ended Feb. 11, 1847; special session, 5th
Legislative Assembly, commenced Oct. 18,
1847, ended Oct. 27, 1847; second session, 5th
Legislative Assembly, commenced Feb. 7, 1848,
ended March 13, 1848.
The members of the first session of the
fourth legislative assembly had been elected
unded a new apportionment based upon a
census taken in June, showing a total popula-
tion of 46,678. In each house there was a
democratic majority. Gov. Doty was a
whig. It was a stormy session. After the two
houses had organized, the governor refused to
communicate with them, as a body legally
assembled, according to the organic act, he
claiming that no appropriation for that object
had been made by Congress. The houses con-
tinued in session until the 10th day of December,
when they adjourned until the 13th of January,
1843, they having meanwhile made representa-
tion to the National Legislature, then in session,
of the objections of the governor. It was not
until the -fth of February that a quorum in both
houses had assembled. Previous to this. Con-
gress had made an appropriation to cover the
expenses of the session; and the governor, on
the 13th of January, had issued a proclamation
convening a special session on the 6th of March.
Both houses in February adjourned to the day
fixed by the governor, which ended the troubles;
and the final adjournment look place, as already
stated, April 17, 1843. Nathaniel P. Tallmadge
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
41
was appointed governor in place of Doty on
the 21st of June, 1844, his eomniission bearing
(late the ICtli of September. .Tame.s K. Polk
having been elected President of the United
States in the fall of that year, Henry Dudge
was again put in the executive chair of the ter-
ritory, receiving his appointment April 8, 1845,
and being commissioned May 13 following.
It was during the fourth session of the fourth
legislative assembly that preliminary steps
were taken, which resulted in the formation of
a State government. The first Tuesday in
April, 1846, was the day fixed upon for the
people to vote for or against the proposition.
When taken it resulted in a large majority
voting in favor of the measure. An act was
passed providing for taking the census of the
territory, and for the ipportionment by the
governor of delegates to form a State constitu-
tion, based upon the new enumeration. Tiie
delegates were to be elected on the first Mon-
day in September, and the colivention was to
assemble on the first Monday in October, 1846.
The constitution when formed was to be sub-
mitted to the vote of the people for adoption or
rejection, as, at the close of the session, the
the terms of members of the council who had
been elected for four years, and of the house,
w ho had been elected for two years, all ended.
Tiie legislature re-organized the election dis-
tricts, and conferred on thegovernor the power
and duly of making an apportionment, based on
the census to be taken, for the next Legislative
Assembly, when, on the .3d of February, is^o,
both houses adjourned sine die. The census
taken in the following June showed a popula-
tion for the territory of 155,217. Delegates
having been elected to form a constitution for
the proposed new State, met at Madison on the
5th day of October. After completing their
labors, they adjourned. This event took place
on the 16th of December, 1846. The constitu-
tion thus formed was submitted to a popular
vote on the first Tuesday of April, 1847, and
rejected. A special session of the legislature,
to take action concerning the admission of Wis-
consin into the Union began Oct. 18, 1847, and
a law was passed for the holding of another
convention to frame a constitution. Delegates
to the new convention were elected on the last
.Monday of November, and that body met at
Madison the 15th of December, 1847. A census
of the territory was taken this year, which
showed a population of 210, .546. The result of
the labors of the second constitutional conven-
tion was the formation of a constitution,
which, being submitted to the people on the
second Monday of March, 1848, was duly ratified.
On the 29th of May, 1848, by act of Congress,
Wisconsin became a State.
It may be here premised that the western
boundai-y of the new State left out a full oi-
ganized county, with a sheriff, clerk of court,
judge of probaie, and justices of the peace. A
bill had been introduced ai, a previous session
in Congress, by Morgan L. ]\Iartin,the delegate
from Wisconsin, to organize a territorial govern-
ment for Minnesota, including the district left
out on the admission of Wisconsin; but which
failed to become a law. The citizens of what
is now Minnesota were very anxious to obtain a
territorial government, and two public meetings
were held — one at St. Paul, and the other at
Stillwater — advising John Catlin, who was
secretary of Wisconsin, to issue a proclamation
as the acting governor, for the election of a
delegate to represent what was left of the
territory of Wisconsin. Mr. Catlin repairol to
Stillwater and issued a proclamation accordingly.
H. H. Sibley was elected; nearly 400 votes hav-
ing been polled at the election. Sibley was
admitted to his seat on the floor of Congress by
a vote of two to one. His admission facilitated
and hastened the jiassage of a l)ill for the or-
ganization of a territorial government for Min-
nesota.
42
HISTORY OP WISCONSIN.
CHAPTER III.
WISCONSIN AS A STATE.
The State of Wisconsin is bounded on the
north by Minnesota and Mi(;higan; on the east
by the State last mentioned; on the south, by
Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota; and on the west,
by the two last named States. Its boundaries,
as more particularly described, are as follows:
Beginning at its northeast corner of the State
of Illinois, that is to say, at a point in the center
of Lake Michigan, where the line of forty-two
degrees and thirty minutes of north latitude,
crosses the same; thence running with the boun-
dary line of the State of Michigan, through Lake
Michigan [andj Green bay to the mouth of the
Menomonee river; thence up the channel of the
said river to the Brule river; thence up said
last mentioned river to Lake Brule; thence along
the southern shore of Lake Brule, in a direct
line to the center of the channel between Mid-
dle and South islands, in the Lake of the Desert;
thence in a direct line to the head waters of the
Montreal river, as marked upon the survey made
by Captain Cram; thence down the main chan-
nel of the Montreal river to the middle of Lake
Superior; thence through the center of Lake
Superior to the mouth of the St. Louis river;
thence up the main channel of said river to the
first rapids in the same, above the Indian vil-
lage, according to Nicollett's map, thence due
south to the main branch of the River St. Croix;
thence down the main channel of said river to
the Mississippi; thence down the center of tin-
main channel of that river to the northwest
corner of the State of Illinois; thence due east
with the northern boundary of the State of
Illinois to the place of beginning. The gen-
eral shape of Wisconsin is that of an
irregular pentagon. Its land area is 53,-
924 square miles; and, in respect to size, it
ranks with the other States as the 15th. It is
known as one of the North Central States, east
of the Mississippi. It extends from 9 degrees
50 minutes to 15 degrees 50 minutes west longi-
tude from Washington city, and from 42 de-
grees 80 minutes to about 47 degrees 80 minutes
north latitude. It has Lake Michigan on the
east. Green bay, Menomonee and Brule rivers.
Lake Vieux Desert, the Montreal river. Lake
Superior and the St. Louis river; on the north-
east and north; and, on the west, the St. Croix
and the Mississippi rivers* The average length
of the State is about 260 miles; its average
breadth 215 miles. The surface features of
Wisconsin present a configuration between the
mountainous, on the one hand, and a monoto-
nous level, on the other. The State occupies a
swell of land lying between three notable de-
pressions: Lake Michigan, on the east; Lake
Superior, on the north; and the valley of the
Mississippi, on the west. From these depress-
ions the surface slopes upward to the summit
altitudes. Scattered over the State are promi-
nent hills, but no mountains. Some of these
hills swell upward into rounded domes, some
ascend precipitously into castellated towers; and
some reach prominence without regard to beauty
' '*The boundary of Wisconsin is commonly (riven as Lalie
Superior and the State of Micliigan on the north, and Michi-
igan and Lalte Michigan on the east, and sometimes, also,
the Mississippi river is given as a part of the western boun-
dary. These boundaries are not the true ones. The Stnte of
Wisconsin extends to the center of Lakes Michigan and Su-
perior, and to the cenierof the main channel of theMis-sis-
sippi river. As the States of Wisconsin and Michigan meet
in the center of Lake Michigan, it is not Lake Michigan that
bounds Wisconsin on the east. buttheState of Michigan, and
so on. The correct boundary of Wisconsin in general ti'rms.
is as follows: Wisconsin is bounded north by Minnesota and
Michigan, east by Michigan, south by Illinois, and west by
Iowa and Minnesota."— 4. O. Wright.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
43
or form or convenience of description. The
highest peak, in the southwestern part of the
State, is tlie West Blue Mound, 1,151 feet above
Lake Michigan; in the eastern part, Lapham's
Peak, 824 feet; in the central part, Rib Hill,
1 ,263 feet; while the crest of the Penokee Range,
in the northern part, rises upward of 1,000 feet.
The drainage systems correspond, in general, to
the topographical features before described.
The face of the State is the growth of geologic
ages furrowed by the teardrops of the skies.
The constitution of Wisconsin provided for
the election of a governor, lieutenant governor,
secretary of State, treasurer and attorney gen-
eral, as the officers of State. The first State
election was held May 8, 1848, when, not only
State officers were chosen, but members of the
Legislature and members of Congress. The fol-
lowing are the names of the governors elected
and the terms they have served, since Wisconsin
became a State: Nelson Dewey, June 7, 1848
to Jan. 5, 1852; Leonard J. Farwell, Jan. 5,
1852, to Jan. 5, 1854; William A. Barstow, Jan.
2, 1854, to March 21, 1856; Arthur McArtliur, f
March 21, to March 25, 1850; Coles Bashfoid,
March 25, 1856, to Jan. 4, 1858; Alexander W.
Randall, Jan. 4, 1858, to Jan. 6, 1862; Louis P.
Harvey, Jan. 0, 1862, to April 19, 1862; Edward
Solomon, t April 19, 1862, to Jan. 4, 1804;
James T. Lewis, Jan. 4, 1864, to Jan. 1, 1866;
Lucius Farchild, Jan. 1, 1866, to Jan. 1, 1872:
C. C. Washburn, Jan. I, 1872, to Jan. 5, 1874;
William R. Taylor, Jan. 5, 1874, to Jan. -i, 1876;
Harrison Ludington, Jan. 3, 1876, to Jan. 7, 1878;
William E. Smith, Jan. 7, 1878 to Jan. 2. 1882,
Jeremiah M. Rusk, Jan. 2, 1882, and still in
office.
The gubernatorial vote of Wisconsin since its
admission into the Union was as follows:
1848.
Dewey, democrat 19, .'538
Tweedy, whig 14, 449
1849.
Dewey, democrat 16,649
Collins, whig 11,317
Dewey's majority 5, 832
1851.
Fiuwell, whig 22,319
Upham, democrat 21, 812
Faiwell's majority.
507
1853.
Barstow, democrat 30,405
Holton, republican 21, 886
Baird, whig 3,334
Biirstow's plurality 8,519
1855.
Barstow, democrat 36, 355
Baehford, republicau 36,198
Barstow's majority.
»1,57
1857.
Rtindall, republican 44,693
Cross, democrat 44,239
Randall's majrrity.
454
1859.
Randall , republican 59, 99U
Ilobart, democrat 52, 539
Randall's majority 7.460
1861.
Harvey, republican 53,777
Ferguson, democrat 45, 456
Harvey's majority 8,321
I 1863.
Lewis, republican 72,717
Palmer, democrat 49, 053
Lewis' majority 23, 664
1865.
Fail child, republican 58, 332
Hobart, democrat 48,330
Dewey's majority.
fEx-Offldo.
Fairchild's majority 10. 002
1867.
Fairchi.d, republican 73,637
Tallmadge, democrat 68,878
5,089 Fairchild's majorily 4,764
•rhis certltleate was set aside by the supreme court.
44
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
1869.
Fail-child, republic«n 69.502
RobinsoB, democrat 61,339
Fairchilds' majorily 8,263
1871.
VVa3hl)Uiii, republican 78,301
Doolitlle, democrat 68,910
Washburn's majoi it}' 9,391
1873.
Taylor, democrat 81, 599
Washburn, republiciin 66,224
Tajlor's raajoiity 15,375
1875.
Ludington, republican 85,1.55
Tajlor, democrat 84,814
Ludington's majority 841
1877.
Smith, republican 78,759
Mallory, dcmocral 70.486
Allis, gree;iback 26,216
Smith's majority 8,273
1879.
Smitb, republicaa 100. 535
.Jenkins, democrat 75,080
May, greenback 12,090
Smith's majorily over both 12.509
1881.
Husk, republican 81 , 754
Fratt, democrat 69, 797
Kanouse. proliibition 13, 225
Allis, greenback 7. 002
Rusk's plurality 11, 957
The following are the name.s of the lieuten-
ant governors atid their terms of service, since
Wisconsin became a State; John E. Holmes,
June 7, 1848, to Jan. 7, 1850; Samuel W. Beall,
Jan. 7, 1850, to Jan. 5, 1852; Timothy Burns,
Jan. 5, 1852, to Jan. 2, 1854; James T. Lewis,
Jan. 2, 1854, to Jan. 7, 1856; Arthur McAvthur,
Jan. 7, 1856, to Jan. 4, 1858; E. D. Campbell, Jan.
4, 1858. to Jan. 2, 1860; Butler G. Noble, Jan.
2,) 1860 to Jan. 6, 186-2; Edward Solomon, Jan.
6, 1862, to April 19, 1862; Gerry W. Hazolton,
(ex-officio), Sept. 10, 1862, to Sept. 26, 186'j;
Wyraan Spooner, Jan. 14, 1863, to Jan. 3, 1870;
Thaddeus C. Pound, Jan. 3, 1870, to Jan. 1,
1872; Milton H. Pettit, Jan. 1, 1872, to March
23, 1873: Charles D. Parker, Jan. 5, 1874, to
Jan. 7, 1878; James M. Bingham, Jan. 7, 1878,
to Jan. 2, 1882; Samuel S. Fifieid, Jan. 2, 1882,
and still in office.
The following are the persons that have been
elected secretaiies of State, with their terms of
office, since the State was admitted into the
Union:
Thomas McHugh, June 7, 1848, to Jan. 7, 1850;
William A. Barstow, Jan. 7, 1850, to Jan. 5,
1852; CD. Robinson, Jan. 5, 1852, to Jan. 2,
1854; Alexander T. Gray, Jan. 2, 1854, to Jan.
7, 1856; David W. Jones, Jan. 7, 1856, to Jan.
2, 1860; Louis P. Harvey, Jan. 2, 1860, to Jan.
6, 1862; James T. Lewis, Jan. G, 1862, to Jan.
4, 1864; Lucius Fairchild, Jan. 4, 1864, to Jan.
1, 1866; Thomas S. Allen, Jan. 1, 18')6, to Jan.
3, 1870; Llywelyn Bree.se, Jan. 3, 1870, to Jan.
5, 1874; Peter Doyle, Jan. 5, 1874, to January
7, 1878; Ham B. Warner, Jan. 7, 1878, to Jan.
2, 1882; Ernest G. Timme, Jan. 2, 1882 and
still in office.
The treasurers, with their terms of office,
have been as follows:
Jairus C. Fairchild, June 7, 1848, to Jan. 5,
1852; Edward H. Janssen, Jan. 5, 1852, to Jan.
7, 1856; Charles Kuehn, Jan. 7, 1850, to Jan 4.
1858; Samuel D. Hastings, Jan. 4, 1858, to Jan.
1, l866;WilliamE. Smith, Jan. 1, 1866, to Jan. 3,
1870; Henry Baetz, Jan. 3, 1870 to Jan. 5, 1874;
Ferdinand Kuehn, Jan. 5, 1874, to Jan. 7, 1878;
Richard Gucnther, Jan. 7, 1878, to Jan. 2, lss2;
Edward C. McFetridge, Jan. -2, 1882 and still in
office.
Attorneys-General, with their terms of office,
have been elected as follows:
James S. Brown, June 7,1848, to Jan. 7, 1850;
S. Park Coon, Jan. 7, 1850, to Jan. 5, 1852; Ex-
perience Estabrook, Jan. 5, 1852, to Jan. 2, ]S54;
George B. Smith, Jan. 2, 1854, to Jan. 7, 1S56;
William R. Smith, Jan. 7, 1856, to Jan. 4, 1858;
Gabriel Bouck, Jan. 4, 1858 to Jan. 2, 1860;
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
45
James H. Howe, Jan. 2, 1860, to Oct. 7, 1862;
Winfield Smith, Oct. 7, 1862, to Jan. 1, 1866;
Charles R. Gill, Jan. 2, 1866 to Jan. 3, 1870;
Stephen S. Barlow, Jan. 3, 1870, to Jan. 5, 1874;
A. Scott S'oan. Jan. 5, 1874, to Jan. 7, 1878;'
Alexander Wilson, Jan. 7, 1878, to Jan. •', 1882;
Leander F. Frisby, Jan. 2, 18o2, and still in
office.
The constitution divided the State into nine-
teen senatorial and sixty-six assembly districts.
In each of these districts, on the 8.th of May,
1848, one member was elected.
The first Legislature of the State began its
session at Madison, the capital, where all subse-
quent ones have convened. The commencement
and ending of each session, with the names of
the speakers, were as follows.
Ninean E. Whiteside, June 5, 1848, to Aug-
ust 21.
Harrison C. Hobart, Jan. 10, 1849, to April 2.
Moses .M. Strong, Jan. 9, 1850, to February 1 1 .
Frederick W. Horn, Jan. 8, 1851, to March 17
James M. Shafer, Jan. 14, 1852, to April 10.
Henrv L. Palmer, Jan. 12, 1853, to April 4.
Henry L. Palmer, June 6, 1853, to July 13.
Frederick W. Horn, Jan. 1 1, 1854, to April 3.
Charles C. Sholes, Jan. 10, 1855, to April 2.
William Hull, Jan. 9, 18.56, to March 31.
William Hull, Sept. 3, 1856, to October 14.
Wyman Spooner, Jan. 14, 1857, to March 9.
Frederick S. Lovell, Jan. 13, 1858, to May 17.
William P. Lyon, Jan. 12, 1859, to March 21.
William P. Lyon, Jan. 11, 1860, to April 2.
Amasa Cobb, Jan. 9, 1861, to April 17.
Amasa Cobb, May 15, 1861, to May 27.
James W. IJeardsley, Jan. 8, 1862, to April 7.
JamesW. Beardsley, June 3, 1862, to June 17.
James W. Beardsley, Sept. 10, 1862, to Sept.
26.
J. Allen Barker, Jan. 14, 1863, to April 2.
William W. Field, Jan. 13, 1864, to April 4.
William W. Field, Jan. 11, 1865, to April 10.
Henrv I). Barron, Jan. 10, 18C6, to April 12.
Angus Cameron, Jan. 9, 1867, to April 1 1.
Ale.xander M. Thomson, Jan. 8, 1868 to
March 6.
Alexander M. Thomson, Jan. 13, 1869, to
March 11.
James M. Bingham, Jan. 12, 1870, to March
William E. Smith, Jan. II, 1871, to March 25.
Daniel Hall, Jan. 10, 1872, to March 26.
Ilf-nry D. Barron, Jan. 8, 1873, to March 20.
(iabe Bouck, Jan. 14, 1874, to March 12.
Frederick W. Horn, Jan. 13, 1875, to March 6.
Samuel S. Fifield, Jan. 12, 1876, to March 14.
.John B. Cassoday, Jan. 10, 1877, to March 8.
Augustus R. Barrows, Jan. 9, 1878, to March
21.
Augustus R. ]5arrows, June 4, 1878, to June 7.
David M. Kelley, Jan. 8, 1879, to March 6.
Alexander A. Arnold, Jan. 14, 1880, to
March 17.
Ira D. Bradford, Jan. 12, 1881, to April 4.
Franklin L. Gilson, Jan. 11, 1882, to March 31.
Earl P. Finch, Jan. 10, 1883, to April 4.
The constitutiiMi divided the State int) two
congressional districts, in each of which one
member of CoTigress was elected May 8, 1848.
The first district embraced the counties of Mil-
waukee, Waukesha, Jefferson, Racine, Walworth,
Rock and Green; the second district was com
posed of the counties of Washington, Sheboy-
gan, Manitowoc, <^'aliimet. Brown, Winnebago,
Fond du Lac, Marquette, Sauk, Portage, Colum-
bia, Dodge, Dane, Iowa, Lafayette, (^rant,
Richland, Crawford, Chijipewa, St Croix and
La Pointe — the counties of Richland, Cliii)pfwa
and La Pointe being unorganized. (It may
here be stated that the first Legislature ch.iiigeii
the apportionment, making three distiicts;
other apportionments have been made at each
decade, so that there are now nine congress-
ional districts.) The first members were elected
to the XXXth Congress, which expired March 4.
1849. The members elected from Wisconsin to
that and subsequent Congresses are:
46
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
XXXth Congress, 1847-9.
First District —William Pitt Lyude. *
Second District. — Mason C. Darling. *
XXXIst Congress, 1849—51.
First District. — Charles Durkee.
Second District.— Orsamiis Cole.
Third District. — James Duane Doty.
XXXIId Congress, 1851-53.
First District. — Charles Durkee.
Second District. — Ben. C Eastman.
Third District.— John B. Macy.
XXXIIId Congress, 1 853-55.
First District — D.iuiel Wells, Jr.
Second District — Ben C. Eastman.
Third District— John B. Macy.
XXXIVth Congress, 185.5-57.
First District. — Daniel Wells, Jr.
Second Dis'rict. — C. C. Washburn.
Third District. — Charles Billinghurst.
XXXV th Congress, 1857-59.
Firsi District— John P. Potter.
Second District. — C. C. Washburn.
Third District. — Charles BilliDghurat.
XXXVIth Congress, 1859-61.
First District.— John F. Potter.
Second District. — 0. C. Washburn.
Third District. — Charles H. Lvrrabee.
XXXVIIth Congress, 1861-63.
First Dislrict.—JohnF. Potter.
Second District. — Luther Hanchett, f Waller Mc-
Indoe.
Thitd District. — A. Scott Sloan.
XXXVIIIth Congress, 1863-65.
First District. — James S. Brown.
Second District. —Ithamar C. Sloan.
Third District. — .\niasaCobb.
Fourth District— Charles A. Eldredge.
Fifth DIsliict.— Ezra Wheeler.
Si-xlli District.— Walter D. Mclndoe,
XXXIXth Congress, 1865-67.
P'irst District. — Halbert E. Paine.
Second District. — IthamarC. Sloan.
Third District — Amasa Cobb.
Fourth District. — Charles A. Eldredge.
Fifth District. — Philefus Sawyer.
Sixth District. — Walter D. Mclndoe.
* Took their seats June 5 and 9, 1848.
+ Died Nov. 34, IS&J; Mcludoe elected to All tbe vaoauoy,
Deo. 30. 1863
XLth Congress, 1867-69.
First District— Halbert E. Paine.
Second District. — Benjamin F. Hopkins.
Third District. — Amasa Cobb.
. Fourth District — Charles A. Eldredge.
Fifth District. — Philelus Sawyer.
Sixth District. — Cadwallader C. Washburn.
XLIst Congress, 1 869-7 1 .
First District. — Halbert E. Paine.
Second District. — Benjamin P. Hopkins. X
David At wood.
Third District. — Amasa Cobb.
Fourth District. — Charles A. Eldredge.
Fifth District. — Phietus Sawyer.
Sixth District — Cadwallader C. Washburn.
XLIId Congress, 1871-73.
First District. — Alexander Mitchell.
Second District. — Gerry W. Hazeltoti.
Third District. — J. Allen Barber.
Fourth District. — Charles A. Eldredge.
Fifth District. — Philetus Sawyer.
Sixth District. — Jeremiah M. Rusk.
XLIIId Congress, 1873-75.
First District. — Charles 6 Williams.
Second District. — Gerry W. Hazelton.
Third District. — J. Allen Barber.
Fourth District — Alexander Mitchell.
Fifth District.— Charles A. Eldredge.
Sixth District. — Philetus Sawyer
Seventh District. — Jeremiah M. Rusk.
Eighth District.— Alexander S. McDill.
XLIVth Congress, 1875-77.
First District.— Charles G. Williams.
Second District. — Lucien B. Caswell.
Tliird District.— Henry S. Magoon.
Fourth District.- William Pitt Lynde.
Fifth District.- Samuel D. Burchard.
Si.Mh District. — Alanson M. Kimball.
Seventh District. — Jeremiah M. Rusk.
Eighth District.— George W. Cate.
XLVth Congress, 1877-79.
First District.— Charles G. Williams.
Second District. — Lucien B. Caswell.
Thi'd District. — GeorgeC. Hazelton.
Fourth District. — William Pitt Lynde.
Hfth District.— Edward S. Bragg.
Sixth District. — Gabriel Bouck.
Seventh Di'itrict. — Herman L. Humphrey.
Eighth District.— Thaddeus C. Pound.
% Died Jan. 1,1870. and David Atwood elected tofil vacancy
Feb. 1.5, 1870.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
47
XLVIth Congress, 1879-81.
First District.— Charles G Wiliiams.
Sei-ond District. — Lucien B. Caswell.
Third District— George C. Hazelton.
Fourth District.— Peter V. Deusler.
Fifth District. -Edward 3. Bragg.
Sixth District,— Gabriel Bouck.
Seventh District.— Herman L. Humphrey.
Eighth Di-lrict — Thaddcus C. Pound.
XLVIIth Congress, 1881-83.
First District.— Charles G. Williams.
Second District. — Lucien B. Ciiswill.
Third Distiict. — George C. Hazelton.
Fourth District. — Peter V. Deuster.
Fifth District.— Edwards. Bragg.
Sixth District. — Richard Guenther.
Seventh District. — Herman L. Humphrey.
Eighth District — Thaddeus C. Pound.
XLVIIIth Congress, 188.3-85.
First District. — John Winans.
Second District. — Daniel H. Sumner.
Third District. — Burr W. Jones.
Fourth District. — Peter V. Deuster.
Fifth District. — Joseph Rankin.
SLxth District —Richard Guenther,
Seventh District. — Gilbert M. Woodward.
Eighth District.— William T Price.
Ninth District. — Isaac Stephenson.
The lirst Legislature in joint convention,
on ttie 7tli of June 1848, canvassed, in accord-
ance with tlie constitution, the votes given on
the 8th of May, for the State officers, and the
two representatives in Congress. On the same
daj the Slate officers were sworn into office.
The next day Gov. Dewey delivere<1 his
first message to the Legislature. The first im-
portant business of the first State Legislature
was the election of two United States senators;
Henry Dodge and Isaac P. Walker, botli
democrats, were elected. The latter drew the
sliortterin; so that his office expired on the 4tli
day of Marc)), 1849, at the end of the thirtecntli
Congress; as Dodge drew tlie long term, his
office expired on the 4th day of March, 1851,
at the end of thirty-first Congress. Botli were
elected, June 8, 1848. Their successors, with
the date of tlieir elections, were as follows:
Isaac P. Walker, Jan. 17, 1849; Henry Dodge,
Jan. 20, 1851 ; Charles Durkee, Feb. 1, 1855;
James R. Doolittle, Jan. 23, 1857; Timothy O.
Howe, Jan. 23, 1861; James R. Doolittle, Jan.
22, 1863; Timothy O. Howe, Jan. 24, 1867;
Matthew H. Carpenter, Jan. 26, 1869 ; Timothy
O. Howe, Jan. 21, 1873; Angus Cameron, Feb.
3, 1875 ; Matthew II. Carpenter, Jan. 22, 1879;
Philetus Sawyer, Jan. 26, 1881 ; Angus Cam-
eron, March 10, 1881.
The constitution vested the judicial power of
the State in a supreme court, circuit court,
courts of probate, and justices of the peace,
giving the Legislature power to vest such juris-
diction as should be deemed necessary in mu-
nicipal courts. Judges were not to be elected
at any State or county election, nor within
thirty days before or after one. The State was
divided into five judicial circuits, Edward V.
VVhiton being chosen judge at the election on
the first Monday in August, 1848, of the first
circuit, composed of the counties of Racine,
Walworth, Rock and Green as then constituted;
Levi Hubbell, of the second, composed of
Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson and Dane;
Charles II. Larrabee, of the third, composed of
Washington, Dodge, Columbia, Marquette,
Sauk and Portage, as then formed; Alexander
W. Stow, of the fourth, composed of Brown,
Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Winne-
l):igo and Calumet; and Mortimer M. Jackson,
of the fifth, composed of the counties of Iowa,
I^aFayette, Grant, Crawford and St Croix, as
ll en organized ; the county of Richland being
attached to Iowa county ; the county of
Chippewa to the county of Crawford ; and
the county of LaPointe to tlie county of
St. Croix, for judicial ))ur])os;es. In 1850, a sixth
circuit was formed. IJy an act, which took ef-
fect in 18.54, a seventh circuit was formed. On
the 1st dsy of January, I85.=>, an eighth and
ninth circuit was formed. In the same year
was also formed a tenth circuit. An eleventh
circuit was formed in 1864. By an act which
took effect the 1st day of January, 1871, the
twelfth circuit was formed. In 1876 a thir-
teenth circuit was "constituted and re-organ
48
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
ized." At the present time John M. Went-
worih is judge of the first circuit, «hich is com-
posed of the counties of Walworth, Kacine, and
Kenosha; Cliarles A. Hamilton of the second,
which includes Milwaukee county; David J.
Pulling of the third, composed of Calumet,
Green Lake and Winnebago; Norman S. Gil-
son of the fourth, composed of Sheboygan, Mani-
towoc, Kewaunee and Fond du Lac; (George
Cleraentson of the fifth, composed of Grant,
Iowa, La Fayette, Hichland and Crawford;
Alfred VV. Newman of the sixth, composed of
Clark, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Trem-
pealeau and Vernon; Charles M. Webb of the
seventh, composed of Portage, Marathon, Wau-
paca, Wood, Waushara, Lincoln, Price, and Tay-
lor; Egbert B. Buiidy of the eighth, composed
of Huffalo, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce, and
St. Croix; Alva Stewart of the ninth, composed
of Adams, Columbia, Dane, Juneau, Sauk,
M rquette; George H. My res, of the tenth,
composed of Florence, Langlade, Outagamie, and
Shawano; Solon C. Clough of the eleventh,
composed of Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett,
Chippewa, Douglas, Polk, and Washburn; John
K. iJennettof the twelfth, composed of Rock,
Green, and Jefferson; A. Scott Sloan, ot thethir-
teenth, composed of Dodge, Ozaukee, Washing-
ton, and Waukesha; Samuel D. Hastings of the
fourteenth, composed of Brown, Door, Mainette
and Oconto.
The first Legislature provided for the re-elec-
tion of juilges of the circuit courts on the first
Monday of August, 1848. By the same act it
was provided that the first term of the supreme
court siiould be held in Madison, on the sec-
ond Monday of January, 1849, and thereafter
at the same place and on the same day,
yearly ; afterward changed so as to hold
a January and June term in each year.
Under the constitution, the circuit judges
were also judges of the supreme court. One
of their own number under an act of June 29,
1S4S, was to be, by themselves, elected chief
justice. Under this arrangement, the following
were the justices of the supreme court, at the
times indicated: Alex. W. Stow, C. J., fourth,
district, Aug. 28, 1848, to Jan. 1, 1851; Edward
V. Whiton, A. J., first circuit, Aug. 28, 1848,
to June 1, 1853; Levi Hubbell, A. J.,
elected chief justice, June 18, 1851, second
circuit, Aug. 28, 1848, to June 1, 1853; Charles
H. Larrabee, A. J., third circuit, Aug. 28, 1848,
to June 1, 1853; Mortimer M. Jackson, A. J.,
fifth circuit, Aug. 28, 1848, to June 1, 1853;
Timothy O. Howe, A. J., fourth circuit, Jan.
1, 1851, to June 1, 1853; Wiram Knowlton, A.
J., sixth circuit, organized by the Legislature in
1850, Aug. 6, 1850,to June 1, 1853. In 1853, the
supreme court was separately organized, the
chief justice and associate justices being voted
for as such. The following persons have con-
stituted that court during tbe terms indicated,
since its separate organization: Edward V.
Whiton, C. J., June 1, 1853, to April 12, 1859;
Luther S. Dixon, C. J., April 20, 1859, to June
17 1874; Edward G. Ryan, C. J., June 17, 1874,
to Oct. 19, 1880; Orsamus Cole, C. J., Nov. 11,
1880, (in oflice); Samuel Crawford, A. J., June
1, 1853, to June 19, 1855 ; Abraham D. Smith.
A. J., June 1, 1853, to June 21, 1859; Orsamus
Cole, A. J., June 19,1855, to Nov. 11, 1880;
Byron Paine, A. J., June 21, 1859, to Nov. 15,
1864; Jason Downer, A. J., Nov. 15, 1864, to
Sept. 11, 1867; Byron Paine, A. J., Sept. 11.
1867, to Jan. 13, 1871; William P. Lyon, A. J.,
Jan. 20, 1870, (in oflice); David Taylor, A. J.,
April 18, 1878, (in office); Harlow S. Orton, A.
J., April 18, 1878, (in office); John B. Casso-
day, A. J., Nov. 11, 1880, (in oflice).
The act of Congress entitled "An act to eiia
ble the people of Wisconsin territory to form a
constitution and State government, and for the
admission of such State into the Union," ap-
proved Aug. 6, 1846, provided for one I nited
States judicial district to be called the district
of Wisconsin. It was also provided that a dis-
trict court should be held therein by one judge
who should reside in the district and be called
a district judge. The court was to hold two
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
49
terms a year in the capital, Madison. This was
afterward changed so that one term only was
lield at the seat of the State government, wliile
the other was to be held at Milwaukee. Special
terras could be held at either of these places.
» On the 12th day of June, 1848, Andrew G.
Miller was appointed by the President district
judge. By the act of Congress of July 15, 1862,
a circuit court of the United States was created
to be held in Wisconsin. The district judge
was given power to hold the circuit court in
Wisconsin in company with the circuit judge
and circuit justice, or either of them, or alone
in their absence. Wisconsin now com])08es a
portion of the seventh judicial circuit of the
United States, Thomas Drummond being cir-
cuit judge. He resides at Chicago. The cir-
cuit justice is one of judges of the United States
supreme court. Two terms of the circuit court
are held each year at Milwaukee and one term
in Madison.
In 1870 tlic State was divided into two dis-
tricts, the eastern and western. In the westerii
district, one term of the United States district
court each year was to be held at Madison and
one at La Crosse; in the eastern district, two
terms were to be held at Milwaukee and one at
Oshkosh. On the Otli day of July, 1870, James
C. Hopkins was appointed judge of the western
district, Andrew G. Miller i-emaining judge of
the eastern district. The latter resigned to
take effect Jan. 1, 1874, and James H. Howe
was ajipointed to Kll the vacancy; but Judge
Howe soon resigned, and ('liarles E. Dyer, on
the 10th of February, 187-5, appointed in his
place. He is still in office. Judge Hopkins, of
the western district, died .Sept. 4, 1877; when,
on the 1.3ih of October following, Romanzo
Bunn was appointed his successor, and now fills
that office.
An act was passed by the first Legislature pro-
viding for the election and defining t!ie duties
of a State superintendent of public instruction.
The persons holding that office, with the terra
of each, are as follows: Eleazer Root, from
Jan. 1, 1849, to Jan. 5, 1852; Azel P. Ladd,
from Jan. 5, 1852, to Jan. 2, 1854; Hiram A.
Wright, from Jan. 5, 1854, to May 29, 1855;
A. Constantine Barry, from June 26, 1855, to
Jan. 4, 1858; Lyman C. Draper, from Jan. 4,
1858, to Jan. 2, 1860; Jpsiah L. Pickard, from
Jan. 2, 1860, to Sept. 30, 1864; John G. Mc-
Mynn, from Oct. 1, 1864, to Jan. 6, 1868; Alex-
ander J. Craig, from Jan. 6, 1868, to Jan. 3,
1870; Samuel Fallows, from Jan. 6, 1870, to
Jan. 4, 1874; Edward Searing, from Jan. 4,
1874, to Jan 7, 1878; William C. Whitford,
from Jan. 7, 1878, to Jan. 2, 1882; Robert Gra-
ham, from Jan. 2, 1882, (now in office.) By the
same Legislature, a State University was estab-
lished. The school system of Wisconsin em-
braces graded schools, to be found in all the
cities and larger villages, the district schools,
organized in the smaller villages and in the
country generally, besides the University of
Wisconsin, (located at Madison, the capital of
the State). The university has three depart-
ments: the college of letters, the college of arts,
and the college of law. It was founded upon a
grant of seventy-two sections of land made by
Congress to the territory of Wisconsin. That
act required the secretary of the treasury to set
apart and reserve from sale, out of any public
lands within the territory of Wisconsin, "a
quantity of land, not exceeding two entire towi:-
ships, for the support of a university within the
said territory and for no other use or purpose
whati^oever; to be located in tracts of land not
less tlian an entire section corresponding witli
any of the legal divisions into which the public
lands are authorized to be surveyed." The
territorial Legislature, at its session in 1838,
passed a law incorporating the "University of
the Territory of Wisconsin," locating the same
at or near Madison. In 1841 a commissioner
was appointed to select the lands donated to
the State for the maintenance! of the university,
who ppr'ormi'd the dutv assigned to him in a
most acceptable ni;imii'r. Section a of article
X of tlu' State i-onstilutioii prii\idi's thai "pro-
3
50
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
vision shall be made by law for the establish-
ment of a State University at or near the seat of
government. The proceeds of all lands that
have been or may hereafter be granted by the
United States to the State, for the support of a
University shall be and remain a perpetual fund,
to be called the 'University fund,' the interest
of which shall be appropriated to the support
of the State University." Immediately upon
the organization of the State government an
act was passed incorporating the State Univer-
sity, and a board of regents appointed, who at
once organized the institution.
The Uniyfersity was formally opened by the
public inauguration of a chancellor, Jan. 16,
1 850. The preparatory department of the Uni-
versity was opened Feb. 5, 1849, with twenty
pupils. In 1849 the regents purchased nearly
200 acres of land, comprising what is known as
ihe "University Addition to the City of Madi-
son," and the old "University Grounds." In
1851 the north dormitory was completed, and
the first college classes formed. In 1854 the
south dormitory was erected. Owing to the
fact that the lands comprising the original grant
had produced a fund wholly inadequate to the
support of the university, in 1S54 a further
grant of seventy-two sections of land was made
by Congress to the State for that purpose. In
1866 the University was completely re-organized,
so as to meet the requirements of a law of Con-
gress passed in 1862, providing for the endow-
ment of agricultural colleges. That act granted
to the several States a quantity of land equal to
30,000 acres for each senator and representa-
tive in Congress, by the apportionment under
the census of 1860. The objects of that grant
are fully set forth in sections four and five of
said act. The lands received by Wisconsin
under said act of Congress, and conferred upon
the State University for the support of an agri-
cultural college, amounted to 240,000 acres,
making a total of 322,160 acres of land donated
to this State by the general government for the
endowment and support of this institution. Up
to the time of its re-organization, the University
had not received one dollar from the State or
from any municipal corporation. In pursuance
of a law passed in 1866, Dane county issued
bonds to the amount of $40,000 for the pur-
chase of about 200 acres of land contiguous to
the University grounds for an experimental
farm, and for the erection of suitable buildings
thereon. The next winter the Legislature passed
a law which appropriated annually for ten years
to the income of the University Fund, $7,308.76,
that being the interest upon the sum illegally
taken from the fund by the law of 1862 to pay
for the erection of buildings.
In 1870 the Legislature appropriated $50,000
for the erection of a female college, which is
the first contribution nyade outright to the up-
building of any institution of learning in this
State. In order to comply with the law grant-
ing lands for the support of agricultural colleges,
the University was compelled to make large
outhiys in tilting up laboratories and purchas-
ing the apparatus necessary for instruction and
practical advancement in the arts immediately
connected with the industrial interests of the
State, a burden which the Legislature very gen-
erously shared by making a further annual ap-
propriation in 1872 of $10,000 to the income of
the University Fund. The increased facilities
offered by improvements in the old and by the
erection of a new college building proved
wholly inadequate to meet the growing wants
of the institution. In its report for 1874, the
board of visitors said: "A hall of natural sci-
ences is just now the one desideratum of the Uni-
versity. It can never do the work it ought to do,
the work the State expects it to do, without
some speedily increased facilities." 'J he Leg-
islature promptly responded to this demand,
and at its next session appropriated $80,000 for
the erection of a building for scientific pur-
poses. In order to permanently provide for de-
ficiencies in the University Fund income, and to
establish the institution upon a firm and endur-
ing foundation, the Legislature of 1876 enacted
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
61
"That there shall be levied and collected for
the year 1876 and annually thereafter, a State
tax of one-tenth of one mill for each dollar of
the assessed valuation of the taxable property of
this State, and the amount so levied and col-
lected is hereby appropriated to the University
Fund income, to be used as a part thereof."
This is in lieu of all other appropriations for
the benefit of this fund, and all tuition fees for
students in the regular classes are abolished by
this act.
'I'he fourth section of the act of 187(5, to per-
manently provide for deficiencies in the Uni-
versity Fund income, is as follows: "From and
out of the receipts of said tax, the sum of$!3,000
annually shall be set apart for astronomical
work and for instruction in astronomy, to be
expended under the direction of the regents of
the University of Wisconsin, as soon as a com-
plete and well equipped observatory shall be
given the University, on its own grounds with-
out cost to the State: Provided, that such ob-
servatory shall be completed within three years
from the passage of this act." The astronomi-
cal observatory whose construction was provided
for by tliis act, was erected by the wise liber-
ality of ex-Gov. Washburn. It is a beautiful
stone building, finely situated and well fitted
for its work. Its length is eighty feet, its
breadth forty-two feet, and its height forty-
eight feet. Over the door to the rotunda is a
marble tablet bearing this inscription: "Erected
and furnished, A. D. 1878, by the munificence
of Cadwalladcr C. Washburn, and by him pre-
sented to the University of Wisconsin; a tribute
to general science. In recognition of this gift,
this tablet is inserted by the regents of the
University." The telescope has a sixteen inch
object-glass. The size is a most desirable one
for the great mass of astronomical work. In
1881 a students' observatory was erected and a
wing was added to the east side of the Wash-
burn observatory.
In the fall of 1848 there was a Presidential
election. There were then three organized
jjolitical parties in the State — whig, democrat
and free-soil, each having a ticket in the field ;
but the democrats were in the majority. The
successful electors for that year and for each
four years since that date, were as follows :
184S. Elected November 7.
Al Large — Fiancis Huebschmann.
Wm. Dunwiddie.
First District— David P. Maples
Second District — Samutl F. Nichlos.
1852. Elected November a.
At Large — Montgomery M. Cothren.
Satierlee Clark.
First District— Phllo White.
Second District — Beriah Brown.
Third District — Charles Billinghurst.
1856. Elected November 4.
At Large— Edward D. Holton.
James H. Knowlton.
First District— Gregor Mencel.
Second District— Waller D. Mclndoe.
Third District— Bille Williams.
I860. Elected November 6.
At Large— Walter D. Mclndoe.
Bradford Rixford.
Kirst District — William W, Vaughan.
Second District — J. Allen Barber.
Third District — Herman Lindeman.
1864. Elected November 8.
.\tLarge— William W. Field
Henry L. Blood.
First District — George C. Northrop.
Second District — Jonathan Bowman.
Tliird District — Allen Warden.
Fourth District — Henry J. Turner.
Fifth Di.stricl— Henry F. Belitz.
Sixth District — Alexander S. McDill.
1868. Elected November 3.
At Largi— Stephen S. Ilailow.
Henry D. Barron.
52
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
First District— Elihu Enos.
Second District— Charles Q. Williams.
Third District — AUeu Warden.
Fourth District — Leander F. Frisby.
Fifth District— Williiira G. Ritch.
Sixth District— William T. Price.
18'72. Elected November 5.
At Large — William E. Ci'amer.
Frederick Fleischer.
First District — Jerome S. Nickles.
Second District — George G. Swain.
Third District — Ormsby B. Thomas.
Fourth District — Frederick Hilgen.
Fifth District— Edward C. McFetridge.
Sixth District — George E. Hoskinson.
Seventh District — RomanzoBunn.
Eighth District — Henry D. Barron.
1876. Elected November 7.
At Large — William H. Hiner.
Francis Campbell.
First District— T D. Weeks.
Second District — T. D.Lang.
Tbird District — Daniel L. Downs.
Fourth District — Casper M. Sanger.
Fifth District — Charles Luling.
Sixth District — J.ames H. Foster.
Seventh District— Charles B. Solberg.
Eighth District — John H. Knapp .
1880. Elected November 2.
At Large — George End.
Knud Langland.
First District — Lucius S. Blake.
Second District — John Kellogg.
Third District— George E. Weatherby.
Fourth District — William P. McLaren.
Fifth District— C. T. Lovell.
Sixth District — E. L Browne.
Seventh District— F. H. Kribbs.
Eighth District — JohnT. Kingston.
The popular vote cast for President at each
of the Presidential elections in Wisconsin, and
the electoral vote cast for each successful can-
didate, were as follows :
Kl
1848
1852
1856
1860
1864
1868
1872
1876
1880
CANDIDATES.
Zachary Taylor
Lewis Cass
Martin Van Buren. . . .
Franklin Pierce
Winfield Scott
John P. Hale. .
James Buchanan
John C. Fremont. . . .
Milhiril Fillmore
Abraham Lincoln
John C. Breckinridge.
John Bell
8. A. Douglas
Abraham Lincoln
Geo B, McClellan
Ulyspcs S. Grant
Horatio Sey.nour
Ulysses S, Grant
Horace Greeley
Charles O'Connor. . . .
Rutherford B. Hayes...
Samuel J Tilden
Peter Cooper
G C. Smith
James A Garfield . . . .
Winfield S. Hancock.
J. B. Weaver
Neal Dow
J B. Phelps
o
o
86,
65,
83,
65,
108,
84,
104,
130,
123,
1,
144,
114,
7,
747
001
418
658
240
814
843
090
579
118
888
161
021
458
884
857
707
997
477
834
668
927
509
27
398
644
986
68
91
H
10
10
10
The act of the first Legislature of the State,
exempting a homestead from forced sale on
any debt or liability contracted after Jan. 1,
18+9, and another act exempting certain per-
sonal property, were laws the most liberal in
their nature passed by any State in the Union
previous to that time. Other acts were passed
— such as were deemed necessary to put the
machinery of the State government in all its
branches, in fair running order. And, by the
second Legislature (1849) were enacted a num-
ber of laws of public utility. Tlie statutes were
revised, making a volume of over 900 pages.
The year 1848 was one of general prosperity to
the rapidly increasing population of the State ;
and that of 1849 developed in an increased
ratio its productive capacity in every depart-
ment of labor. The agriculturist, tlie arti.san,
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
53
tlie miner, reaped the well-earned reward of
his honest, labor. The commercial and manu-
facturing interests were extended in a manner
highly creditable to the enterprise of the people.
The educational interests of the Stale began to
assume a more systematic organization. Tlie
tide of immigration suffered no decrease during
the year. Within the limits of Wiscon-
sin, the oppr.ssed of other climes continued to
find welcome and happy homes. There were
many attractions for emigrants from the Old
World, especially from northern Europe — from
Germany, Norway, Sweden and Denmark ;
also from Ireland and England.
Till' third Legislature changed the January
term of the supreme court to December and or-
ganized a sixth judicial circuit. The first
charitable institution in Wisconsin, incorporated
by the State, was the "Wisconsin Institute lor
the Education of the Blind." A school for
that unfortunate class had been opened in Janes-
ville, in the latter part of 1S49, receiving ils
support from the citizens of that place and
vicinity. By an act of the Legislature, approved
Feb. 9, 1850, this school was taken under the
care of the Institute, to continue and maintain
it, at .lanesville, and to qualify, as far as might
be, the blind of the State for the enjoyment of
the blessings of a free government; for obtain-
ing the means of subsistence; and for the <lis-
cliarge of those duties, social and political,
devolving upon American citizens. It has since
been supported from the treasury of the State.
On the 7th of October, 1850, it was opened for
the reception of pupils, under the direction of a
board of trustees appointed by the governor.
The other charitable institutions of the State
are the State Hospital for the Insane, located
near Madison, and opened for patients in July,
1800; Northern Hospital for the Insane, located
near Oshkosh, to which patients were first ad-
mitted in April, 1873, and the Institution for
the Deaf and Dumb, located at Delavan, in
Walworth county.
The entire length of the building of the Wis-
consin State Hospital for the Insane, situated
on the north shore of Lake Mendota, in Dane
county, is 569 feet, the center building being
65x120 feet. The first longitudinal wing on
each side of the center is 132 feet, and the la.st
on each extremity i» 119 feet. The transverse
wings are eighty-seven feel long. This com-
modious building is surrounded by ornamental
grounds, woods and farming lands, to the extent
of 393 acres, and is well adapted for the care
of the unfortunate needing its protection. In
1879, additional room for 180 patients was
added, by converting the old chapel into wards,
and by the addition of cross wings in front of
the old building. The hospital will now accom-
modate comfortably 550 patients. In 1870 a law
was passed authorizing the erection of the build-
ing for the Northern Hospital, on a tract, con-
sisting of 337 acres of land, about four miles
north of the city of Oshkosh on the west shore
of Lake Winnebago. The necessary appropri-
ations were made, and the north wing and central
building were completed. Further appro) ri-
ations were made from time to time for addi-
tional wings, and in 1875 the hospital was coih-
pleled according to the original design, at a
total cost to the State of $625,250. The build-
ing has been constructed on the most approved
])lan, and is suited to accomodate CUO patients.
The land first occupied by the V\ isconsin
Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, comprising
11 46-100 acres, was donated by Hon. F. K.
Phoenix, one of the first trustees, but the
original boundaries have since been enlarged
by the purchase of twenty-two acres. The main
building was burned to the ground on the 16th
of September, ls79; but during the year I88(i
four new buildings were erected, and with the
increased facilities provided, 250 children may
be well cared for. The new buildings are a
school house, boys' dormitory, dining-room ami
chapel, with a main or administration building.
These buildings are plain, neat, substantial
structures, and well fitted for the uses intended.
54
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
The Institution was originally a private school
for the deaf, but was incorporated by act of the
Legislature, April 19, 1S52. It designs to educate
that portion of the children and youth of the
State, who, on account of deafness, cannot be
educated in the public schools. Instruction is
given by signs, by written language, and by
articulation. In the primary department few
books are used, slates, pencils, crayons, pictures,
blocks and other illustrative apparatus being the
means employed. In the intermediate depart-
ment the books used are prepared especially for
the deaf and dumb; more advanced pupils study
text-books used in our common schools. The
shoe shop commenced business in 186'Z;the print-
ing office in 1878, and the bakery in 1881. The
law provides that all deaf and dumb residents
of the State of the age of ten years and under
twenty-live, of suitable age and capacity to
receive instruction, shall be received and taught
free of charge for board and tuition, but
parents and guardians are expected to furnish
clothing and pay traveling expenses.
The taking of the census by the United
State, this year, 1850, showed a population for
Wisconsin of 305,391 — the astonishing increase
in two years of nearly 95,000. Many, as already
stated, were German, Scandinavian and Irish;
but the larger proportion were,of course, from the
Eastern and Middle States of the Union. The
principal attractions of Wisconsin were the
excellency and cheapness of its lands, its valu-
able mines of lead, it« extensive forests of pine,
and the unlimited water-power of its numerous
streams. In 1860 the population had increased
to 775,881; in 1870 to 1,054,670, and in 1880 to
1,315,480. By an act of the fourth Legislature
of the State, approved March 14, 1851, the loca-
tion and erection of a State prison for Wiscon-
sin was provided for, Waupim, Dodge county,
being afterwards the point selected for it. The
office of State prison commissioner was created
in 1853, but was abolished in 1874. During
that time the following persons held the office:
John Taylor, from March 28, 1853 to April 2,
1853; Henry Brown, from April 2, 1853 to Jan.
2, 1854; Argalus W. Starks, from Jan. 2, 1854
to Jan. 7, 1856; Edward McGarry, from Jan 7,
1856 to Jan 4, 1858; Edward M. MacGraw, from
Jan. 4, 1858 to Jan. 2, 1860; Hans C. Heg, from
Jan. 2, I860 to Jan. 6, 1862; Alexander P. Hod-
ges, from Jan 6, 1862 to Jan. 4, 1864; Henry
Cordier, from Jan 4, 1864 to Jan. 3, 1870;
George F. Wheeler, from Jan. 3, 1870 to Jan.
4, 1874. The State (Law) Library had its
origin in the generous appropriation of $5, 000 out
ot tlie general treasury, by Congress, contained
in the seventeenth section of the organic act
creating the territory of Wisconsin. At the
first session of the territorial Legislature, held
at Belmont in 1836, a joint resolution was
adopted appointing a committee to select and
purchase a library for the use of the territory.
The iirst appropriation by the State, to replenish
the library, was made in 1851. Since that time,
several appropriations have been made. The
number of volumes in the library at the begin-
ning of 1883 was 16,285.
The fifth Legislature — the Assembly, wiiig,
the Senate, democratic — passed an act authoriz-
ing banking. This was approved by the gover-
nor, L. J. Farwell, April 19, 1S52. The ques-
tion of "bank or no bank" having been sub-
mitted to the people in November previous, and
decided in favor of banks; the power was thereby
given to the Legislature of 1852 to grant bank
charters or to pass a general banking law. By
the act just mentioned, the office of bank comp-
troller was created, but was abolished by an
act of Jan. 3, 187(i. During the continumce of
the law, the following persons filled the office,
at the time given; James S. Baker, from Nov.
20, 1852 to Jan. 2, 1854; William M. Dennis,
from Jan. 2, 1854 to Jan. 4, 1858; Joel C.
Squires, from Jan. 4, 1858 to Jan 2, 1860; Gys-
bert Van Steenwyk, from Jan 2, 1860 to Jan. 6,
1862; William H. Ramsey, from Jan 6, I.s62 to
Jan. 1, 186C; Jeremiah M. Rusk, from Jan . 1,
1866 to Jan. 3, 1870. The sixth Wisconsin
Legislature commenced its session, as we have
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
55
seen, Jan. 13, 1853. On the 26th of that month
charges were preferred in the Assembly against
Levi Hubbelljjudge of the second circuit court, for
divers acts of corruption and malfeasance in
office. A resolution directed a committee to go
to the Senate and impeach Hubbell. On tlie
trial he was acquitted. By an act of tlie same
Legislature, the State Agricultural Society was
incorporated. Since its organization the society
has printed a number of volumes of transactions,
and has held, except during the civil war,
annual fairs. Its aid to the agricultural interests
of the State are clearly manifest. Farming, in
Wisconsin, is confined at the present time to
the south half of the Slate, the northern half
being still largely covered by forests. The
surface of the agricultural portion is, for the
most part, gently undulating, consisting largely
of prairies alternating with "oak openings."
The Slate is essentially a grain-growing one,
though stock-raising and dairy farming are
rajiidly gaining in importance. Wheat, the
staple product of Wisconsin, is gradually losing
its prestige as the farmer's sole dependence,
and mixed farming is coming to the front.
About twenty bushels of wheat are raised
annually to each inhabitant of the State. Mucli
more attention is now paid to fertilizers than
formerly, clover and |)laster being looked upon
with constantly increasing favor. While within
the last ten years stock-raising has been a grow-
ing interest, yet it has not been a rapid one;
not so, however, with dairying — no other
agricultural interest has kept pace with this.
The principal markets for the farm products of
Wisconsin are Milwaukee and Chicago.
By an act approved March 4, 185.3, the State
Historical Society was incorporated, it having
been previously organized. The society is
under the fostering care of the State, each Leg-
islature voting a respectable sum for its benefit.
It has published a number of volumes of "Col
lections"' and of catalogues. Its rooms are in
the Capitol at Madison, where are to be found
its library of historical books and pamplilets,
the largest in the northwest. On the 21st
of September, 1853, Timothy Burns, lieu-
tenant-governor of the State, died at La Crosse.
As a testimonial of respect for the deceased,
the several State departments, in accordance
with a proclamation of Gov. Farwell, were
closed for one day, October 3. The year 1850,
to the agriculturalist, was not one of much pros-
perity in Wisconsin, owing to the partial
failure of the wheat crop. The State was vis-
ited during the year by cholera, not, however,
to a very alarming extent. In 1851 the State
was prosperous. In 1852 the citizens of Wis-
consin enjoyed unusual prosperity. There were
abundant harvests and high markets; an increase
of money and a downward tendency of the rates
of interest. The next year (1853) was also one
in which every branch of industry prospered.
There was an especial increase in commerce
and manufactures. And here it might be said
that next to agriculture the most important
pursuit in Wisconsin is manufacturing; fore-
most in this interest is lumber, of whicli the
pineries furnish the raw material. The pine
region extends through the northern counties of
the State from Green Bay to the St. Croix river.
The demand for lumber is constantly increas-
ing, while the facilities for its manufacture are
continually enlarging. Over one billion feet of
logs are cut annually. The lumber mills have
a capacity exceeding one and one-half billion
feet. The products of these find their way to
market, either by the Mississippi and its tribu-
taries, by the various lines of railways, or
through the great lakes. The other leading
articles of manufacture are flour, agricultural
impleiTients and malt liquors.
The fourth administration — William A. Bar-
stow, governor — was signalized by a fugitive
slave case, which greatly excited the people of
Wisconsin. Sherman M. Booth, for assisting
in the rescue of Joshua Glover, a fugitive slave,
was arrested, but discharged by the supreme
court. He was again arrested under an indict-
ment in the L^nited States district court, and a
56
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
second time discharged by the supreme eourt;
but the supreme court of the United States
reversed the action of the State court in its
second discharge of Booth, and he was re-
arrested in 1860; the sentence of the district
court was executed in part upon him, when he was
pardoned by tlie President. The eighth Legis-
lature of the State (Jan. 10 — April 2, 1855),
passed an act very liberal in its provisions rela-
tive to the rights of married women. On
the 2'7th of June, 1855, Hiiam A. Wright,
superintendent of public instruction, died at
Prairie du Chien. The State census, taken in
this year (1855), showed a population of 552,-
109. In 1865, the number had increased to
868,325; in 1875, to 1,236,729. Industrial occu-
pations in Wisconsin were prosperous during
the years 1854 and 1855. The fifth administra-
tion began with William A. Barstow in the
executive chair, by virtue of a certificate from
the board of canvassers, that he had been a
second time elected governor by a majority (as
previously shown) of 157. But this certificate
was set aside by the supreme court, giving the
office to Coles Bashford, not, however, until
Barstow had resigned, and Arthur McArthur,
acting, by virtue of his office of lieutenant-gov-
ernor, as governor from March 21, to March 25,
1856. A dry season during this year dimin-
ished the wheat crop. The tenth Legislature of
Wisconsin— Jan. 14 to March 9, 1857 — passed
an act establishing at Waukesha a house of
refuge for juvenile delinquents, afterwards
called the State Reform School; now known as
the Wisconsin Industrial School for boys. It
was opened in 1860. Tlie buildings are located
on the southern bank of Fox river, in view of
the trains as they pass to and from Milwaukee
and Madison, presenting an attractive front to
the traveling public, and furnishing the best
evidence of the parental care of the State
authorities for the juvenile wards within its
borders. The buildings include a main central
building, three stories high, used for the resi-
dence of the superintendent's family, office
chapel, school rooms, reading room and library,
officers kitchen, dining room, and lodging, fur-
nace room and cellar. On the east of the main
central building are three family buildings,
three stories high, each with dining hall,
play room, bath room, dressing room, hospi-
tal room, officers' rooms, dormitory and store
room. On the west of the main central
building are four family buildings like those
on the east in all respects, witK the exception
of the building at the west end of this line,
which is a modern building with stone base-
ment. In the rear of this line of buildings is
the shop building, 38x258 feet, three stories
high, which embrace boot factory, sock and
knitting factory, tailor shop, carpenter shop,
engine room, laundry and steam dyeing room,
bath rooms, store, store rooms, bakery and cel-
lar. The correction house, 44x80 feet, (intended
for the most refractory boys) and will accommo-
date forty; a double family building 38x1 17
feet for the accommodation of two families
of boys of fifty each. There is on the farm,
which consists of. 233 acres of land, a com-
fortable house, a stone carriage and horse Itarn
two stories high, Iniilt in the most substantial
manner.
The constitution of the State, adopted in 1848,
provides, "that the revenue of the school fund
shall be exclusively applied to the following
objects: "1st. To the support and maintenance
of bommon schools in each school district, and
the purchase of suitable libraries and appurte-
nances therefor. "2d. That the residue of the
income of the school fund shall be approj)riated
to the support of academies and normal schools,
and suitable libraries and appurtenances there
for." No effort was made to take advantage of
this provision of the constitution for the endow-
ment of normal schools until 1857, when an act
was passed providing "that the income of twen-
ty-five per cent, of the proceeds arising from the
sale of swamp and overflowed lands should be
appropriated to normal institutes and academies,
under the supervision and direction of a " 'board
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
57
of regents of normal schools,' " who were to
be appointed in pursuance of tlie provisions of
tliat act. Under this law, the income placed at
the disposal of the regents was distributed for
several j'ears to such colleges, academies and
high schools as maintained a normal class, and
in ])roportion to the number of pupils in the
class who passed satisfactory examinations, con-
ducted by an agent of the board. In J 805, the
Legislature divided the swamp lands and swamp
land fuiul into two equal i)arts, one for drain-
age purposes, the other to constitute a noimai
school fund. The income of the latter was to
be applied to establishing, supporting and main-
taining normal schools, under the direction and
management of the board of regents of normal
schools, with a proviso that one-fourth of such
income should be transferred to the common
school fund, until the annua! income of that
fund should reach ?i:i(K),0O0. During the satne
year, proposals were invited for extending aid
in the establishment of a normal school, and
[)ropositions were received from various places.
In 1860, the board of regents was incor[)o-
rated by the Legislature. In February, Platte-
ville was conditionally selected as the site of a
school, and as it had become apparent that a
productive fund of al>out $600,000, with a net
income of over #.'50,000, was already in hand,
with a prospect of a steady increase as fast as
lands were sold, the' board, after a careful in-
vestigation and consideration of the different
methods, decided upon the policy of establish-
ing several schools, and of locating them in
different pArts of the State. At a meeting held
on the 2d day of 'May, in the same year, the
board designated Whitewater as the site of a
school for the southeastern section of the State,
where a building was subsequently erected; and
on the 16th permanently located a school at
Plalteville, the academy building having been
donated for that purpose. The school at Plalte-
ville was opened Oct. 9, 1866. Tiie school at
Whitewater was opened on the 2!st of April,
1808.
A building was completed during the year
1870 for a third normal school, at Oshkosh, hut
owing to a lack of funds, it v>a> not opened for
the admission of pupils during that year. The
opening and the ceremony of dedicating the build-
ing took place Sept. 10, 1871. A fourth normal
school was opened in September, 1875, at River
FaMs, Pierce county. It is understood to be the
policy of the board of regents to establish
eventually, when the means at their disposal
shall permit, not less than six normal schools,
but several years must elapse before so many
can go into operation. The law under which
these schools are organized provides that "The
exclusive purpose of each normal school shall
be the instruction and training of persons, both
male and female, in the theory and art of teach-
ing, and in all the various branches that per-
tain to a good common school education, and in
all subjects needful to qualify for teaching in
the public schools; also to give instruction in
the fundamental laws of the United States and
of this State, and in what regards the rights and
duties of citizens."
Subsidiary to the State normal schools are
teachers' institutes, held annually in nearly
every settled county, and the State teachers'
association, which has been organized for .-i
quarter of a century. Besides the public schools
of the State, there are a number of denoniina-
lional and other colleges, the principal of which
are Racine College, Beloit College, Milton Col-
lege, Rii)on College, Carroll College, at Wau-
kesha; Lawrence University, at Appleton; St.
John's College, at Prairie du Chien; (ialesville
University; Northwestern University, at Water-
town; and Pio Nono College, at St. Francis
Station, south of Milwaukee. There is also
quite a large number of incorporated academies
and seminaries, the more prominent ones being
the Milwaukee Academy and St. Mary's Insti-
tute, at Milwaukee; Kemper Hall, at Kenosha;
St. Catharine's Academy, at Racine; Rochester
Seminaiy, Lake (ieneva Seminary, Fox Lake
Seminary, Albion Academy, Elroy Seminary,
58
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Wayland Institute, at Beaver Dam, and Santa
Clara Academy, at Sinsinawa Mound. There
are also about 700 private schools in Wisconsin.
The whole number of children in Wisconsin
between four and twenty vears of age is 483,071 ;
the number of pupils in attendance in public
schools, 299,019. The aggregate valuation of
school property in the State is ^(5,297,678.24.
The sixth administration, Alexander W.
Randall, governor, was noted for its "long jiar-
liament," the eleventh Legislalure of the State
having been in session 125 days. A report of
commissioners previously a)>pointed to revise
tlie statutes, was acted upon during tlie session,
the result being the publication, in one volume,
of the "Revised Statutes of 1858." The
twelfth Legislature (.Jan. 12, to March 21, 1859)
was, like the two previous Legistatures, republi-
can. At the commencement of the seventh ad-
ministration, Randall's second term as gov-
ernor, that party not only had control of the
tliirteenth Legislature, butof all ihe State offices.
The governor, in his message to the fourteenth
Legislature, on the 10th of January, 1861, de
clared that the right of a State to secede from
the I'^nion, could never be admitted. " The gov-
ernment must be sustained, the laws shall be en-
forcedP'' An extra session of the Legislature
was convened on the 15th of May, at which, no
acts were passed except such as appertained to
the military exigencies of the times. Mean-
while a demand made upon the governor by the
President, for troops to sustain the federal arm,
met with a quick response. During the year,
9,991 men, in ten regiments, for three years'
service, and one regiment for three months
service, of 810 men, were sent out of the State.
The number of volunteers originally in the sev-
eral military organizations, from Wisconsin
during the war, were as follows:
First Infantry, three months 810
First Infantry, three years 945
Second Infantry, three years 1051
Third Infantry, three years 979
Fifth Infantry, three years 1058
Sixth Infantry, three years 1108
Seventh Infantry, three years 1029
Eighth Infantry, three years 973
Ninth Infantry, * three years 870
Ti nth Infnntry, three years 916
Elevenili Infanlry, threeyears 1029
TvvelfiU Infantiy, three years 1045
Thirteenth Infant'y,* three years 970
Fourteenth Infantry, three years 970
Fifteenth Infiintry, three years 801
Sixteentl' Infanlry, three years 1066
Seventeenth Irfantry, threeyears 941
Eighteenth Infantrj^, three years 962
Nineteenth Infantry, threeyears 973
Twentieth Infantry, three years 990
Twenty-first Infantry, thre» years 1002
Twenty-second Infantry, three years 1009
Twenty-third Infantry, three years 994
Twenty fourth Infantry, three years 1008
Tweniy-fiflh Infantry, three years 1018
Twenty-sixth Infantry, threeyears 1002
Twenly-seventh Infantiy, three years 865
Twenty-eighth Infantry, threeyears 961
Twenty-ninth Infantry, three years 961
Thirtieth Infantry, three years 906
Thirty-first Infantry, three years 878
Thirty-second Infantry, threeyears 993
Thirty-third Infantry, three years 892
Thiriyfourth Infantry, nine months 961
Thirty-fifth Infantry, * threeyears 1066
Thirty sixth Infantry, threeyears 990
Thirty-seventh Infantry, one, two and threeyears 708
Thirty-eighth Infantry, one, two and three years. 913
Thirty-ninth Infantry, one hundred days 780
Fortieth Infantry, one hundred days 776
Forty (it si Infantry, one hundred days -578
Forty-second Infantry, one year 877
Fortj-lhird Infantry, one year 867
Forty fourth Infantry, one year 877
Forty fifth Infantry, one year 859
Forty-si.\ih Infantry, one year 914
Forty-S' yenth Infantry, one year 927
Forty-eighth Infant: y, one year 828
Forty-ninth Infantry, one year 986
Fiftieth Infantry, one year 942
Fifty-first Infantry, one year 841
Fifty-second Infantry, one year 486
Fifty third Infantry, one year 380
First Cavalry, threeyears 1134
Second Cavaliy, three years 1127
Third Cavalry, threeyears 1186
FourihC.ivalry, threeyears 1047
Milwaukee 83
•Nov. 1, 1865.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
59
First Battery Light Artillery t55
Second Battery Light Artillery 153
Tliiid Buttery Light Artilleiy l?"
Fotirlli Battery Light Ani.lery 151
Fifth Buttery Lisiht Artillery 155
Sixth Battery Light Artillery 157
Seventh Battery Light Artillery 158
Eighth Battery Light Artillery 161
Ninth Battery Light A rtillery 155
Tenth Battery Light Artillery 47
Eleventh Battery Light Artillery 87
Twelfth Battery Light Artillery 99
Thirteenth Battery Light Artillery 156
Battery A, Heavy Artillery 1-9
Battery B, Heavy Artillery 149
Battery C, Heavy Artillery 146
B:iltery D, Heavy Artillery 146
Battery E, Heavy Artillery 151
Battery F, Heavy Artillery 151
Battery G, Heavy Artillery 152
Battery H, Heavy Artillery 151
Battery I, Heavy Artillery 150
Battery K, Heavy Artillery 148
Battery L, Heavy Artillery 152
Battery M, Heavy Artillery 152
Sharpshooter" 105
Oibbons' Brigade Band 13
Oil the 10th of April, 1802, Gov. Louis P.
Harvey, the successor of AlexamlerW. Randall,
started, along with others, from Wisconsin on
a tour to relieve the wounded and suffering
soldiers from this State, at Mound City, Padu-
cah and i^avannah. Having completed his
mission, he made preparations to return. He
went on board a boat, the Dunleith, at ihe
landing in Savannah, and there awaited the ar-
rival of the Minnehaha, which was to convey him
and his party to Cairo, 111. It was late in the
evening of the 19th of April when the steamer
arrived; and as she rounded to, her bow touched
the Dunleith precipitating the governor into
tbe^ river. Every effort was made to save his
life, but in vain. His body was afterward re-
covered and brought home for interment.
Edward Salomon, lieutenant-governor, by
virtue of a provision of the constitution of the
Stale, succeeded to the office of governor, 'i'lie
enlisting, organization and mustering into the
United States service during Randall's adminis-
tration of thirteen regiments of infantry — the
First to the Thirteenth inclusive, and the march-
ing of ten of them out of the State before the
close of 1R61, also, of one company of cavalry
and one conijiany of sharpshooters constittited
the effective aid abroad of Wisconsin during
that year to suppress the Rebellion. Hut for the
year 1862, this aid, as to number of organiza-
tions, was more than doubled. At the end of
the year 1863 thirty-three regiments left the
State — tlic Thirteenth regiment being the only
remaining one of the thirty-four in Wisconsin.
The ninth administration, James T. Lewis, gov-
ernor, saw the close of the Rebellion. On the
10th of April, 1865, Lewis announced to the
Legislature, then in session, the surrender of
Gen. Lee and his army.
Fifty-three regiments during the war were
raised in Wisconsin, all, sooner or later, mov-
ing south and engaging in one way or other in
suppressing the Rebellion. Twelve of these
regiments were assigned to duty in the eastern
division, which constituted the territory on both
sides of the Potomac and upon the seaboard
from Baltimore to Savannah. Tiiese twelve
regiments were:
The First (three months). Second, Third,
Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Nineteenth,
Twenty-sixth, Thirty-si.vth, Thirty-seventh and
Thirty-eighth.
Ten regiments were assigned to the central
division, including Kentucky, Tennessee,
Northern Alabama and Georgia. 'I'liese ten
were;
The Tenth, Twenty-first, Twenty-second,
Twenty-fourth, Thirtieth, Forty-third, Forty-
fourth, Forty-fifth, Forty-si.\tli and l<"orty-
scventh. Added to these was the First (re-or-
ganized).
Thirty-one regiments were (nilored to the
western division, embraci g the country west
and northwest of the central division. These
were:
Eighth, NintI', Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth,
; Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth,
60
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Eighteenth, Twentieth, Twenty-third, Twenty-
fifth, Twenty-seventh, Twenty-eighth, Twenty-
ninth, Thirty-first, Thirty-second, Thirty-third,
Thirty-fourth, Thirty-fiftli, Thirty-nintii, For-
tieth, Forty-first, Forty-second, Forty-eighth,
Forty-ninth, Fiftieth, Fifty -first, Fifty-second
and Fifty-third.
During the war several transfers were made
from one district to another. Tliere were taken
from the eastern division the Thiri and Twenty-
sixth and sent to the central division; also the
Fourth, which was sent to the department of
the gulf. The Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fifteenth,
Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth, 'J"»enty-
fifth. Thirtieth, Thirty-first and Thirty-.second
were transferred from the western to the cen-
tral department. The other niilitai'y organiza-
tions from Wisconsin had various assignments
Recruiting ceased in the State on the l.'ith of
April, 1865. It was not many months before
Wisconsin's last soldier was mustered out of
service. The State furnished during the war
over 75,000 men, of which number nearly 1 1,000
died in the service.
Among all the noble women wlio gave them-
selves to the sanitary work of the civil war
perhaps few were more peculiarly fitted for
forming and carrying out plans than Mrs. C. A.
P. Jlarvey, widow of the late lamented Gov.
Louis P. Harvey. She was appointed by Gov.
Salomon one of the sanitary agents of the
State. She soon procured the establishment of
a convalesent hospital at Madison, Wis. The
building when no longer needed as a hospital,
ISJ IS. Harvey conceived the idea of having it con-
verted into a home for soldiers' orphans. On
Jan. 1, 1866, the home was opened with eighty-
four orphans, Mrs. Harvey at the head. The
necessary funds had been raised by subscription;
but it soon became a State institution. The oi-
phans were not only maintained but brought up
to habits of industry. But it was not long be-
fore the number of the inmates began to de-
crease, owing to the fact that homes were found
or many, while some were returned to their,
mothers; none were kept in the institution after
they had reached the age of fifteen. At length
when the number had diminished to less than
forty children, it was thought best to close the
institution. This was in 1875. The whole
number of orjihans cared for during the contin-
uance of the heme was about 700. The Legisla-
ture then transferred the building to the re-
gents of the University of Wisconsin, who dis-
posed of it; and a Norwegian seminary is now
established therein.
During the tenth administration, Lucius
Fairchild, governor, the National Home for
Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, the northwest-
ern branch of the National institution, was es-
tablished in Wisconsin, three miles from Mil-
waukee. It has a capacious brick building, con-
taining accommodations for 1,000 inmates. In
addition to this building which contains the
main halls, eating apartment, oftices, dormitory
and engine room, are shops, granaries, stables
and other out-buildings. The Home farm con-
tains 410 acres, of which over one-half is culti-
vated The remainder is a wooded park tra-
versed by shaded walks and drives, beautifully
undulating. The main line of the Chicago,
Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad runs through
the farm, and the track of the northern division
passes beside it. Soldiers who were disabled
in the service of the United States in the War
of the Rebellion, the Mexican War, or the War
of 1812, and have been honorably discharged,
are entit ed to admission to the Soldiers' Home.
A law was passed in 1867 creating the oflice
of insurance commissioner, the secretary of
State being assigned to its duties. But, in 187S,
it was made a distinct office, to be filled by the
governor's appointment. It was, howevfr,
made elective in 1881. Philip L. Spooner has
served since April 1, 1878, and is still in oflice.
The joint-slock fire insurance companies of Wis-
consin are three in number, its mutual compa-
nies also three. There is but one life insurance
company in the State. A large number of fire
and life insurance companies located outside of
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
61
Wisconsin transact business under State law
within its borders.
Hiarly in 1870, during Gov. Fairchild's
third term, was organized, and in March of
that year incorporated, the "Wisconsin Acad-
emy of Sciences, Arts and Letters," having
among its .specific objects researches and inves-
tigations in the various departments of the ma-
terial, metaphysical, ethical, ethnological and
social sciences; a progressive and thorough
scientific survey of the State, with a view of
determining its mineral, agricultural and other
resources; the advancement of the useful arts,
through the application of science and by the
encouragement of original invention; the en-
couragement of the fine arts by means of hon-
ors and prizes awarded to artists for original
works of superior merit; the formation of scien-
tific, economical and art museums; the encour-
agement of philological and historical research;
the collection and preservation of historic rec-
ords and the formation of a general library,
and the diffusion of knowledge by the public i-
tion of original contributions to science, liter-
ature and the arts. The academy has already
published several volumes of transactions, un-
der authority of the State. On the 3d day of
July of that year A. J. Craig, superintendent of
public instruction, died of consumption, and
on the 13th of January following occurred the
<leath of associate justice, Byron Paine, of the
supreme court. Al the twenty-fourth regular
session of the Legislature (January 11 — March
25, 1871,) a commissioner of emigration, to be
elected i)y the people, was provided for. The
office was abolished Jan. 3, 1876. During this
time but two persons held the oflice — Ole C.
Johnson, from April 3, 1871, to Jan. 5, 1S74;
Martin J. Argard, from Jan. 5, 1874, to Jan. 3,
1876. My an act of the Legislature, a|)])roved
March 4, 1879, the board of immigration of the
State of Wisconsin was created, to consist
of five members, of which number two are
ex-officio — the governor and secretary of State.
The principal office is located in Milwaukee,
with a branch office at Chicago. The object is
to encourage imigration from Europe to Wis-
consin. On the 23d of March, 1871, the State
board of charities and reforms was created, to
consist of five members to be appointed by the
governor of the State, the duties of the mem-
bers being to investigate and supervise the
whole system of charitable and correctional in-
stitutions supported by the State or receiving
aid from the State treasury. This board have
since reported annually to the governor their
proceedings. The Wisconsin State horticultural
Society, although previously organized, first un-
der the name of the "Wisconsin Fruit Growers'
Association," was not incorporated until the
24th of .March, 1871 — the object of the society
being to improve the condition of horticulture,
rural adornment and landscape gardening. By
a law of 1868 provision was made for the pub-
lication of the society's transactions in connec-
tion with the State Agricultural Society; but
by the act of 1871 this law was repealed and an
appro])riation made for their yearly publication
in separate form. The society holds annual
meetings at Madison.
In October, 1871, occurred great fires in
northeastern Wisconsin. The counties of
Oconto, Brown, Kewaunee, Door, Manitowoc,
Outagamie and Shawano suffered Tuore or less.
More than 1,000 men, women and children per-
ished. More than 3,ono were rendered destitute.
The loss of property has been estimated at ^4.-
000,000. No other calamity so awful in its results
has ever visited Wisconsin. A compilation of
the public statutes of the Stale was prepared
during the year fs7l by David Taylor (now
a-<sociate justice of the supreme court), and
published in two volumes, known as the "He-
vised Statutes of 1871." It was wholly a pri-
! vate undertaking, but a very creditable one.
I The Wisconsin Dairymen's Association origi-
I nated in a resolution offered in the .Fefferson
; County Dairymen's Association, .Ian. -Jii, IS72,
] to issue a call for a meeting of Wisconsin
I dairymen, to be held at Waterlown, Fel). 15,
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
1872. A few gentlemen met and organized the
Wise msin Dairymen's Association. The aim
of the organization has been to secure improved
methods of making butter and cheese and the
best markets fur shipment and sale. ') he asso-
ciation holds its annual meeting in January of
each year for the discussion of the dairy inter-
ests. Dairy fairs are lield at each meeting.
There is printed annually by the State printer
2,000 copies of the transactions of the associa-
tion. The Legislature receives 600 copies, the
State Historical Society, Academy of Sciences,
Arts and Letters, State Agricultural Society
and Northern Wisconsin Agricultural Associa-
tion receive forty copies each; the remainder
are distributed to tiie members of the associa-
tion and generally over the State to all who
make application for them. The association
receives its support from members who join
each year, paying the sum of $1, and by
appropriations from the State. Wisconsin won
first i)remium on butter in competition with the
world; the second premium on Clieddar cheese
(the first going to Canada), and the second on
fancy shaped cheese at tlie International Dairy
Fair, held in New York city in December, 187 7.
To the D.iir} men's Association belongs the
credit of raising tlie reputation of Wisconsin
cheese and butter from tlie lowest to the high-
est rank.
On the 23d of Vlarcli, 1 67:}, Lieut.-Gov.
Milton H. Pettitt died suddenly and unex-
pectedly. Tiie Legislature this year pa.ssed an
act providing for a geological survey of the
State, to be completed within four years, by a
chief geologist and four assistants, to be ap-
pointed by the governor, appropriating for tlie
work an annual payment of $13,000. An act,
approved March 25, 1 8.5.3, authorized the gov-
ernor to appoint a State geologist, who was to
select a suitable ])er8on as assistant geologist.
Under this law Edward Daniels, on the 1st day
of April, 1853, was appointed State geologist,
superseded on the 12th day of August, 1854, by
James G. Percival, who died in office on the 2d
of May, 1856. By an act approved March 3,
! 857, James Hall, Ezra Carr and Edward Dan-
iels were ajjpointed by the Legislature geolog-
ical commissioners. By an act approved April
2, 1860, Hall was made principal of the com-
mission. The survey was interrupted by a re-
peal March 2], 1862, of previous laws promoting
it. However, to complete the survey, ihe mat-
ter was re-instated by the act of this Legisla-
ture, approved March 29, the governor, under
that act, appointing as chief geologist Increase
A. Lapham, April 10, 1873. On the 16th of
February, 1875, O. W. Wight succeeded Lap-
ham, but on the 2d of February, 1876, T. C.
Chamberlain was appointed Wight's successor,
and still holds the office. He has published
four volumes of reports in a very able mannei,
e.vlending from 1873 to 1879, inclusive. Re-
ports were also published by his predecessors.
And just here it may not be inappropriate to
say a word concerning the physical history of
Wisconsin. "This can be traced back with
certainty to a state of complete submergence
beneath the waters of the ancient ocean, by
which the material of our oldest and deepest
strata were deposited. Let an extensive but
shallow sea, covering the wliole of the present
territory of the State, be pictured to the mind,
and let it be imagined to be depositing mud and
sand, as at the present day, and we have before
us the first authentic stage of the history under
consideration. Back of that the history is lost
in the mists of geologic antiquity. The thick-
ness of the sediments that accumulated in that
early period was immense, being measured by
tliousands of feet. These sediments occupied,
of course, an essentially horizontal position, and
were doubtless in a large degree hardened into
beds of impure sandstone, shale and other sedi-
mentary rock. But in the progress of time an
enormous pressure, attended by heat, was
brought to bear upon them laterally, or edge-
wise, by which they were folded and crumpled
and forced up out of the water, giving rise to
an island, the nucleus of Wisconsin. The force
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
63
wliich produced this upheaval is believed to
have arisen from the cooling and consequent
contraction of the globe. .The foldings may be
imagined as the wrinkles of a shrinking earth.
But the contortion of the beds was a scarcely
more wonderful result than the change in the
characterof the rock which seems to have taken
place simultaneously with the folding, indeed,
as the result of the heat and pressure attending
it. 'I'he sediments, that seem to have previously
taken the form of impure sandstone and shale
for the most part, underwent a change, in which
re-arrangement and crystalization of the ingre-
dients played a conspicuous part. By this met-
amorphism granite, gneiss, mica schist, syenite,
hornblende rocks, chloritic schists and other
crystalline rocks were formed."* But to pur-
sue further an inquiry into the geological struc-
ture of the State would be foreign to this brief
historical sketch of Wisconsin. The subject is
ably treated of in the geological reports before
referred to.
The actual mineral resources of Wisconsin
remain very largely to be developed, Its useful
mineral material comes under the head of me-
talic ores and non-metalic substances. Of the
first class are the ores of lead, zinc, iron and
copper; of the second class are the principal
substances found in brick-clay, kaolin, cement
rock, limestone for burning into quick limo,
limestone for flux, glass-sand, peat and build-
ing stone. In Wisconsin lead and zinc are
found together ; the former has been utilized
since lS2ti, the latter since 1860. The coun-
ties of La Fayette, Iowa and Grant — the
southwestern counties of the State — are known
as the " leail region." All the lead and zinc
obtained in Wisconsin are fr(,rn these counties.
The lead ore is of one kind only — that known
as galena. A large anidunt is produced yearly
from the variirus mining districts in the lead
region. The number of pounds raised from
single crevices has often been several hun-
•T. C. Cbamberlain, State Oeoloffist, In Illustrated Hist.
Atlas of Wisconsin.
drod thousand. The zinc ores werelformerly
rejected as useless, but their value is, beyond
doubt, very great, and they will be a sourca
of wealth to the lead region for a long time
.to come, as they are now extensively utilized.
Iron mining in the State is yet in its infancy.
Numbers of blast furnaces have sprung up in
the eastern portion, but these smelt Michigan
ores almost entirely. The several ores in Wis-
consin are red hematites, brown hematites,
mugnet'c ores and specular hematites ; the
first are found in Dodge county ; the second
in Portage, Wood and Juneau ; the two last
in Bayfield, Ashland, Lincoln and Oconto
counties.
The thirteenth administration (C. C. Wash-
burn, governor) ended with the year 1873,
the republican party in the State being de-
feated for the first time since the commence-
ment of Randall's administration. The session
of the Legislature of 1874 was a noted on<' for
the passage of the "Potter Law," limiting the
compensation for the transportation of passen-
gers, classifying freight, and regulating prices
for its carriage on railroads within Wisconsin.
Three railroad commissioners were to be ap-
poiiitetl by the governor ; one for one year,
one for two years, and one for three years,
whose terms of office should commence on the
Nth day of May, and the governor, thereafter,
on the first day of May, of eacli year, siiould
a|)])<)inl one commissioner for three' years. Ll^n-
(ler this law the governor appointed J. H. Os-
born, for three years; (leorge IL Paul, for two
years; and J. W. Iloyt, for one year, tender
executive direction, this conimi.<sion inaugura-
ted its labors by compiling, classifying, and
putting into convenient form for public use for
the first time, all the railroad legislation of the
State. In 1876 this board was abolished and a
railroad commissioner, to be ap{)ointed by tlie
governor every two years, was to take its place.
This latter office was made elective in 1881.
The commissioners who have held office under
these various laws are : John W. Hoyt, from
64
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
April 29, 1874, to March 10, 1876; George H.
Paul, from April 29, 1874, to March 10, 1876 ;
Joseph II. Osborn, from April ' 9, 1874, to
March 10, 1876; Dana C. Lamb, from March
10, 1876, to Feo. 1, 1878; A.J. Turner, from
Feb. 1, 18V8, to Feb. 15, 1882; N. P, Hangeu,
from Feb. 15, 1881, and now in office. The
"Potter Law" was resisted by the railroad com
panics, but ultimately the complete and abso-
lute power of the people, through the Legisla-
ture, to modify or altogether repeal their char-
ters was fully sustained by the courts both of
the State and the United States. The necessity
for railroads in Wisconsin began to be felt
while yet it was an appendage of Michigan
territory. Great advantages were anticipated
from their construction. There was a reason
for this. Explorers had published accounts of
the wonderful fertility of Wisconsin's soil, the
wealth of its broad prairies and forest even-
ings, and the beauty of its lakes and river.<!.
Frtim 1836, with the hope of improving their
condition, thousands of the enterprising
yeomanry of New England, New York
and Ohio started for the territory. Ger-
mans, Scandinavians, and otlier Nationali-
ties, attracted by the glowing accounts
sent abroad, crossed the ocean on their
way to the new world ; steamers ainl sail-craft
laden with families and their household goods
left Buffalo and other lake ports, all bound for
Wisconsin. With the development of the
agricultuial resources of the territory, grain
raising became the most prominent intei'est,
and as the settlements extended back from the
lake shore the difficulties of transportation of
the products of the soil were seriously felt.
The expense incurred in moving a load of pro-
duce seventy or eighty miles to a market town
on the lake shore frequently exceeded the gross
sum obtained for the same. All goods, wares
and merchandise, and most of the lumber used
were hauled by teams from Lake Michigan.
To meet the great want, better facilities for
transportation, railroads were an indispensable
necessity. Between the years 1838 and 1841,
the territorial Legislature of Wisconsin char
tered several railroERi companies, but with the
exception of the Milwaukee & Waukesha Rail-
road Company, incorporated in 1847, none of
the corporations thus created took any particu-
lar shape. There are now in Wisconsin the
following railroads, costing, in round numbers,
$150,000,000: Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul;
Chicago & Northwestern; Chicago, St. Paul,
Minneapolis & Omaha; Milwaukee, Lake Shore
& ^Vestern; Wisconsin Central; Green Bay &
Minnesota; Green Bay, Winona & St. Paul;
Wisconsin & Minnesota; Chippewa Falls &■
Western; Fond du Lac, Amboy & Peoria;
Prairie du Chien & McGregor; Milwaukee &
Northern; Chippewa Falls & Northern, iiid
Wisconsin & Michigan. Other lines are still
needed, and present lines should be extended by
branch roads. The questions, as we have seen,
upon which great issues have been raised
between railway corporations in Wisconsin and
the people, are now happily settled by securing
to the latter their rights , and the^ former,
under the wise and conciliatory policy [pursued
by their managers, are assured of the safely of
their investments. An ei-a of good feeling'^has
succeeded one of distrust and antagonism.
The people must use the railroads, and the rail-
loads depend upon the people for sustenance
and protection.
Ill 1874 the Wisconsin commission lor the
pu.pose of fish culture was organized. The
iicxt year, by reason of State aid, the commis-
sion was enabled to commence work. In 1876
was completed the purcha.se of grounds, the
erection of the buildings, and the construction
of the ponds (seven in number) of the Madi-
son hatchery, situated in the town of Fitch-
burg, Dane county. A temporary hatching
house was continued for some time in Milwau-
kee, for the hatching of spawn of the white
tish and lake trout. The commission was re-
organized in 1878, the number of the members
being increased from four to seven. Appro-
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
65
priatioiis by tlie Legislature have been con-
liiiucil, ami llio work ]ir()iiiiscs I'avorable^i'esults
to tlie Slate.
Under an act of IHlb an Industrial School
for girls was organized in Milw-iukee, where
buildings have been erected, capable of accom-
modating 150 inmates. Its proper subjectsare:
(1.) Viciously inclined girls under sixteen, and
boys under ten years of age; (2.) The stubborn
and unruly, who refuse to obey their proper
guardians; (.S.) Truants, vagrants and beggars;
(4.) Those found in circumstances of manifest
danger of falling into habits of vice and im-
morality; (5.) 'I'hose under the above ages who
have committed any offense punishable by fine
or imprisonment in adult offenders. Although
the school was founded by private charity, and
is under the control of a self-perpetuating board
of managers, it is incorporated and employed
by the State for the custody, guardianshiji,
discipline and instruction of the aforenamed
children. In default of responsible and efhcient
guardianship, they are treated as the minors
antl wards of the State, and by it are committed
to the guartlianship of this board of la<lies
during minority.
The application of Miss Lavinia Cioodell for
admission to tlii^ bar of VVis(u)iisiii, was rejected
by the supreme court at its .lanuary term, 1870;
but as a law substMpiently passed the Legisla-
ture, making ladies eligib'e to practice in the
several courts of the State, she was, upon a
second a]>pIication, admitted.
Hy an act approved jMarch i:i, IS^O, a State
board of iiealth was established, the appoint-
ment of a superintendent of vital statistics pro-
vided for, anil certain duties assigned to local
boards of health. The State board was organ-
ized soon after, seven persons having been ap-
pointed by the governor as its members. And
here it is proper to say a word as t<> the health
of VVisconsin. "When we compare the general
death-rate of Wisconsin with that of the other
States of the Union, we find that it compares
most favorably with that of Vermont, the
healthiest of the New England States. The
United States census of 1850, 1800 and 1870,
gives Wisconsin ninety-four deaths to 10,000 of
the population, while it gives Vermont 101 to
every 10,000 of her inhabitants. The census of
1870 shows that the death-rate from consump-
tion in Minnesota, Iowa, California and Wis-
consin are alike. These four States show the
lowest death-rate among the States from con-
sumption, the mortality being thirteen to fourteen
per cent, of the whole death-rate. Climatologic-
ally considered, then, there is not a more healthy
State in the Union than the State of Wiscon-
sin. But for health purposes something more
is requisite than climate. Climate and soil
must be equally good. Men should shun the
soil, no matter how rich it be, if the climate is
inimical to health, and rather choose the cli-
mate that is salubrious, even if the soil is not so
rich. In Wisconsin, generally speaking, the
soil and climate are equally conducive to health,
and alike good for agricultural purposes."*
There was in Wisconsin a general feeling of
patriotism (if the acts of its citizens, both native
and foreign born, are to be taken as an indica-
tion of their attachment to their country), mani-
fested throughout the centennial year, 1876.
A board of State centennial managers was pro-
vided for by the Legislature, to represent Wis-
consin at the Philadelphia exhibition, and $20,
000 appropriated for their use, to make there a
[iroper exhibition of the products, resources and
advantages of the State. Under a law of this
year, three revisors, afterward increased to five,
were appointed to revise the statutes of the
Slate. The result was a large volume, ably col-
lated, known as the Revised Statutes of 1878,
which was legalized by act of the June session
of the Legisl.ature of that year. On the 19th of
October, ISHO, Chief .Justice Edward Ct. Ryan
departed this life, in the seventieth year of his
age. lie was buried in Milwaukee, with, honors
becoming the position held by him at the time
•Dr. Joseph Hobbius, In Illustrated Historical Atlas of
Wisconsin.
66
HISTORY" OF WISCONSIN.
of his death. His successor, as previously
stated, is Chief Justice Orsamus Cole.
By an act of the Legislature of 1881, a board
of supervision of Wisconsin charitable, re-
formatory and penal institutions was founded.
The boards of trustees by which these insti-
tutions had been governed since their organi-
zation were abolished by the same law. The
board of supervision consists of five members,
who hold their office for five years, and who
are appointed by the governor, the Senate con-
curring. The board acts as commissioners of
lunacy, and has full power to investigate all
complaints against any of the institulions un ■'er
its control, to send for books and papers, sum-
mon, compel thi' attendance of, and swear wit-
nesses. The powers delegated to this board
are so extraordinary, and its duties so manifold,
that a recital of tliem will be found of interest.
They are as follows :
(1.) To maintain and govern the Wisconsin
State Hospital for the Insane, the Northern
Hospital for the Insane, the Wisconsin State
Prison, the Wisconsin Industrial School for
Boys, the Wisconsin Institution for the Educa-
tion of the Blind, and the Wisconsin Institution
for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb ; and
such other charitable and penal institutions as
may hereafter be established or maintained by
the State. (2.) To carefully supervise and
direct the management and affairs of said in-
stitutions, and faithfully and diligently promote
the objects for which the same have been
established. (3) To preserve and care for the
buildings, grounds and all property connected
with the said institutions. (4.) To take and
hold in trust for the said several institutions
any land conveyed or devised, or money or
property given or bequeathed, to be applied for
any purpose connected therewith, and faithfully
to apply the same as directed by the donor, and
faithfully to apply all funds, effects and property
which may be received for the use of such
institutions. (5.) To make on or before Octo-
ber 1 in each year, full and complete annual in-
ventories and appraisals of all the property of
each of said institutions, which inventories and
appi'aisals shall be recorded, and shall be so
classified as to separately show the amount,
kind and value of all real and personal ])roperty
belonging to such institutions. (6.) To make
such by-laws, rules and regulations, not incom-
patible with law, as it shall deem convenient or
necessary for the government of the said insti-
tutions and for its own government, and cause
the same to be printed. (7.) To visit and care-
fully inspect each of said institutions as often
as once in each month, either by the full board
or by some member thereof, and ascertain
whether all officers, teachers, servants and em-
ployees in such institutions are competent and
faithful w the discharge of their duties, and all
inmates thereof properly cared for and governed,
and all accounts, account books and vouchers
properly kept, and all the business affairs
thereof properly conducted. (8.) To fix the
number of subordinate officers, teachers, ser-
vants and employees in each of said institutions,
and prescribe the duties and compensa'ion of
each, and to employ the same upon the nomi-
nation of the respective superintendents and
wardens. (9.) To promptly remove or discharge
any officer, teacher or employe in any of said
institutions, who shall be guilty of any malfeas-
ance or misbehavior in office, or of neglect, or
improper discharge of duty. (10.) To annually
appoint for the Wisconsin State Hospital for
the Insane and for the Northern Hospital for
the Insane, for each, a superintendent, one
assistant physician, a matron, a steward and a
treasurer ; and for the Institution for the Edu-
cation of the Blind, and the Institution for the
Education of the Deaf and Dumb, and the In-
dustrial School for Boys, for each, a superin-
tendent, a steward, a treasurer, and all necessary
teachers ; and for the State prison, a warden,
a steward and a treasurer, who shall be the
officers of said institutions respectively and
whose duties shall be fixed by said board,
except as herein otherwise provided. (H.) To
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
67
maintain and govern the school, prescribe the
course of stmly and provide tlie necessary ap-
paratus and means of instruction for the Insti-
tution for the Education of the Blind, and for
the Institution for the Education of the Deaf
and Dumb. (12) To prescribe and collect
such charges as it may think just, for tuition and
maintenance of pupils not entitled to the same
free of charge, in the Institution for the Educa-
tion of the Blind and in the Institution for the
Education of the Deaf and Dumb. (13.) To
fix the period of the academic year, not less
than forty weeks, and prescribe the school
terms in the Institution for the Education of
the Blind and the Institution for the Education
of the Deaf and Dumb. (U.) To confer, in
its discretion, ui)on meritorious pupils, such
academic and literary degrees as are usually
conferred by similar institutions, and grant
diplomas accordingly, in the Institution for the
Education of the Blind and in the Institution
for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb.
On the 20th of April, 188.3, a commissioner
was appointed by the governor, for two years,
in accordance with the provisions of an act
p.issed by the Legislature of that year creating
a bureau of labor statistics. The object of this
office, now filled by Frank A. Flower, is to col-
lect manufacturing and labor statistics, report
violations of laws for benefit of artisans, and
generally to show the manufacturing condition
and resources of the State.
In her political divisions Wisconsin has
copied, to a considerable e.\tent, from some of
her sister States. These divisions are counties,
towns, cities and incorporated villages. The
county government is in charge of a county
board of supervisors, consisting of the chairman
of each town board, a su]H'rvisor from each
ward of every city, and one from each incorpo-
rated village. The county officers are : Clerk,
treasurer, sheriff, coroner, clerk of circuit court,
district attorney, register of deeds, surveyor,
and one or two superintendents of schools, all
elected biciiniallv. There are sixtv-five coun-
ties in the State. The government of the
towns is in charge of a town board of super-
visors. The other officers are clerk, treasurer,
assessors, justices of the peace, overseers of
highways and constables. The government of
cities depends upon charters granted by the
State Legislature. Generally, there is a mayor,
common council, clerk, treasurer, attorney, chief
of police, fire marshal and surveyor. Incorpo-
rated villages are governed by a president and
six trustees. The other officers are clerk, treas-
urer, supervisor, marshal and constable, and
sometimes a justice of the peace or police jus-
tice.
The constitution of Wisconsin, adopted by
the people in 1>^48, is still "the supreme law of
the State ;" but it has several times been
amended, or had material additions made to it :
(I.) Article V, section 21, relating to the pay
of the members of the Legislature. This was
amended in 1867.
(2.) Article VI, sections 5 and 9, relating to
the salaries of the governor and lieutenant-gov-
ernor. This was amended in 1869.
(3.) Article I, section 8, relating to grand
juries. This was amended in 1870.
(4.) Article IV, sections 31 and 32, relating to
special legislation. These sections were added
in 1871.
(5.) Article XI, section 3, relating to munic-
ipal taxation. This was amended in 1874.
(6.) Article VII, section 4, relating to the
number and term of the judges of the supreme
court. This was substituted for the original
section in 1877.
(7.) Article VIII, section 2, relating to claims
against the State. This was amended in is77.
(8.) Article IV, sections 4, 5, 11 and 21, re-
lating to biennial sessions, and a change in
salaries and peniuisites of members of the
Legislature. These were thus amended in
1881.
68
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
(9) Article III, section 1, relating to resi-
dence of voters in election districts some time
before the election, and to registration of voters
in cities and villages. Amended to this effect
in 1882.
(10.) Article VI, section 4, article VII, sec-
tion 12, and article XIII, section 1, all relating
to biennial elections. Amended to this effect
in 1882.*
*A. O. Wright, in Exposition of tlie Constitution of the
State of Wisconsin.
HISTORY
OF
CRAWFORD COUNTY,
AATisoonsrsinsr.
C H A P 1^ E R I .
a:«''a, position and physical features.
BKKOKE filtering upon a consideralion of
tlic liiftory of Crawford county, past and
prosoiit, it is a matter of importance to under-
stand its area and geograpliical position.
AREA.
Crawford county, in aren, ranks among the
soutlicrii counties of Wisconsin as one of aver-
age size. It includes twenty-seven whole, half
and fractional congressional townships with an
average in each as folh)ws:
AREA OF TOWNSIIU'S.
Acres.
Township 6. of range 5 west. 812 32
6 " 5,648 84
" '• " 7 " 980 12
7 " " 3 " 143 15
" " " 4 " 7,844 01
'■ " " 5 " 19, 40; 10
6 " 22,028 57
7 " 2,.'J64 24
8 " '■ 3 " 15,258 85
•• " " 4 " 22,.507 37
• '■ " r, " 33,350 73
V. r.sliip (! of range
Acres.
6 we.sl 21,317 03
7 " 1,627 .57
3 " 23,003 24
4 " 22,739 57
5 ■' 23,20H 70
6 " 9,596 22
3 " 23,078 53
4 " 22 884 87
5 " 23, .540 80
6 •■ '. 17,475 44
7 " 4,705 79
3 •' 13,026 24
4 " 11,498 82
5 " 11,580 96
6 " 11,60(1 08
7 " 3,679 06
This does not inchide tlie area of the ])rivate
land claims confirmed to different parties hy
the United States, and located on the i)rairie,
the same on which the city of Prairie du CJiien
is situated. The extreme length of the cDtinty,
north and south, is twentv-ninc and one-half
10
11
HISTORY OF CRATVFORD COUNTY.
miles; its extreme widtli,east and west, twenty-
eight miles.
POSITION.
Crawford county is bounded on the north by
Vernon county; on the east by the counties of
Richland and Grant; on the south by the
county last mentioned; and on the west by
Allamakee and Clayton counties, Iowa. It is
in the second tier of counties north of the
northern boundary of the State of Illinois; its
northern line being a distance from the south-
ern boundary line of Wisconsin, in a straight
course, of sixty-three miles. The eastern line
of the county is 144 miles distant from the
western shore of Lake Michigan. A dis-
tance from its northeast corner of ■225
miles, due north, is the nearest point on the
southern shore of Lake Superior.
PHYSICAL FEATURES. A BIEd's-ETE VIEW.
[From the Illustrated Historical Atlas of Wisconsin. 1878.1
At Prairie de Chien, the prairie is underlaid
by about 1 40 feet of sand and gravel — river de-
posit — under which commences the Potsdam
sandstone formation. This has been pene-
trated to the depth of 1016 feet in boring an
artesian welt, without reaching the granite.
Above the plain at this place, the Magnesian
limestone rises in perpendicular cliffs to the
height of about 250 feet. Above this, the
bluff slopes back to a perpendicular height of
about 100 feet. This slope is com-
posed of the' St. Peter's sandstone, and the
lower portion of the Trenton limestone. The
formation of the whole of Crawford county is of
similar character. The county is bounded on
the west by the Mississippi river; on the south
by the Wisconsin. The waters of these rivers
have worn out deep channels in the rock, pro-
ducing beetling bluffs on either side. The
Kickapoo river runs diagonally through the
county from northeast to southwest, in conse-
quence of which the face of the county is worn
into deep ravines. A very narrow ridge runs
the whole length from northeast to southwest,
sloping off abruptly — to the Kickapoo on one
hand and Mississippi or "Wisconsin on the
other. This ridge forms an admirable wagon
road.
The ►oil of Crawford county is rich in the
elements necessary for vegetable growth. It is
both argillaceous and calcareous, mixed in
many places with sand and universalis witli a
large proportion of vegetable mold. T^he soil
produces abundant crops of cereals and affords
good pasturage. The timber is composed of
oak of several varieties, hickory, butternut, ash,
elm, basswood, hard and soft maple, quaking
asp, white and yellow birch, and black
walnut.
The county has one feature which is some-
what remarkable. None of it has been subject
to action of the glacial period. There, is no
drift, nor are there any boulders or water-worn
pebbles, except in beds of streams, with only
one exception, which is in a bed of liraonite at
Seneca, where there are numerous water-worn
pebbles imbedded in iron ore. This bed of
ore is situated on the highest land in the
county.
At this place there is a considerable deposit
of limonite, which has never been worked. In
the town of Wauzeka, there is considerable
copper ore, of the variety called by miners
o-ossam. It is found in masses imbedded in the
earth from the size of peas to fifty and
sometimes 100 pounds. This ore yields about
twenty-five per cent, of copper. At Bridge-
port, there are extensive quarries of Dolomite or
Magnesian limestone. These quarries are of
much importance, producing beautiful and dur-
able building stone. It is at present mostly
dressed into window caps and sills and
columns. In the town of Wauzeka. some lead
ore is found; but in no large quantities, as
the Galena limestone terminates in a north-
westerly direction.
There are three artesian wells at Prairie du
Chien, one discharging 809,616 gallons daily.
This well is 960 feet deep,and is said to possess
rare mineral qualities. The others are upward
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
71
of 1,000 feet in depth, and discharge propor-
tionately large quantities of water. The two
wells last mentioned were bored for the ))ur-
pose of obtaining water to drive machinery.
THE KIVEUS OF TlIK COUNTY.
Crawford county is emphatically the river
county of Wisconsin. Leaving the smaller
streams to be described in the record of the
towns, it is sufficient, in a general view, to no-
tice only the Mississippi, the Wisconsin and the
Kickapoo.
I. THK MISSISSIITI.
This is the largest and most important river
of the United States, rises in the north part of
Minnesota at an elevation of l,6.'-0 feet above
the tide water. Its chief source is Itasca lake,
which is 1,575 feet higher than the sea, and
about 3,000, or, as some say, 3,1(50 miles from
the mouth of the ri\ei', and is about laiiludc 47
degrees, 10 minutes nortii and longitude Uo cii-
grees, 20 minutes west. FrcTii Itasci hike it
runs first nortlnvard, but soiui turns tii\\aid>
the east, and expands into Lake Cass and oiiici
lakes. After flowing towards nearly cvers
point of the compass, it ariive-i at Crow Wing,
below which it runs soutliward to St. Cloud aii'i
southeastward to Minneapolis. Here is a pic-
turesque cataract callcil the Kails of St. An-
th<iny, which is the head of navigation. The
river here descends sixty-six feet in less than
one mile, including a perpendicular fall of
seventeen feet. It passes bj' the city of St.
Paul and a few miles lower strikes the bound-
ary of Wisconsin and expands into the long and
beautiful Lake Pepin, bordered by vertical
limestone blulTs, which are about 400 feet high
and very picttircsque. Below Dubuque its
general direction is southward, and it forms
the boundary between the States of Iowa, Mis-
souri, Arkansas and Louisiana on the right and
Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi
on the left hand. After an extremely sinuous
course it enters the Gulf of Mexico by several
mouths at the southeast e.\tremity of Plaque-
mine parish, Louisiana, in latitude 29 degrees
north and longitude 89 degrees, 12 minutes
west. Its largest affluents are the Missouri, Ohio,
Arkansas and Red rivers, besides which it re-
ceives the Minnesota, Iowa and Des Moines
from the right hand and the Wisconsin and
Illinois rivers from the left. The Missouri
river is longer than the part of the Mississippi
above the junction of the two rivers, which is
called the Upper Mississippi. The total length
of the stream from the sou ce of the Missouri to
the Gulf of Mexico is computed to be 4,300
miles, which exceeds that of any other river in
the world. 'I'lie area drained by this river and
its tributaries, according to Prof. Guyot, is
1,244,000 square miles. It is computed that the
mean volume of water discharged l)y it in a
second is U75,000 cubic feet. It is navigable
by large or middle-sized steamboats from its
month to St. Paul, a distance of about 2,200
miles. Steamboats can ascend the Alissouri to
Fort Benton, which, :;ocording to some, is about
•-' 500 miles from its mouth, and 3,900 miles
from the mouth of the Mississippi. The chief
cities on the great river, giving precedence to
those nearest tlie source, are Minneapolis, St.
Paul, La Crosse, Dubuque, Davenport, Keokuk,
(^uincy, Hannibal, St. Louis, Memphis and Kew
Orleans. The lowest place at which the river
is crossed by a bridge is St. Louis, Mo., about
1,400 miles from its' mouth. This has three
arches raised so high that large steamers can
pass under it. The river is 3,500 feet wide at
St. Louis, about 2,500 at New Orleans ar.d
4,000 feet at the mouth of the Ohio. It appears
that it is generally wider between Dubuque and
St. Louis than it is below the latter city. Three
other bridges cross the river at Davenport,
Clinton and Dubuque. The mean velocity of
the current between St. Louis and the Gulf of
Mexico is about sixty-five miles per day. 'I'he
Mississippi Valley comprises a vast extent of
very fertile land, which is nearly level or gently
undulating. As the river runs soutliward and
traverses eighteen degrees of latitude, the
72
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
climate and productions of tbe lower part differ
greatly from those of the upper part of the val-
ley. In Louisiana and Mississippi the river is
bordered hy alluvial plains and swamps, which
are lower than the surface of the water, and
are often inundated, though partly protected by
artificial embankments called levees. The
greatest floods occur in the spring, after the
snow and ice of the Upper Mississippi have
been melted. The water begins to rise about
the Jst of March and increases until June. The
levees are sometimes bursted or overcome by
the violence of the flood, which rushes through
crevices and devastates large tracts of arable
land of which cotton and sugar are the staple
products. Such a calamity occurred in April,
1874, and i-educed many thousand people to des-
titution. At the mouth of the river a large delta
has been formed by the mud and detritus carried
down by the current. This delta is intersected
by a number of outlets, or watercourses, called
bayous, which issue from the Mississippi, or de-
rive from it a supply of water in time of a
flood. "The whole area of the delta," says
Dana, "is about 12,300 square miles and about
one-third is a sea-marsh, only two-thirds lying
above the level of the gulf." The amount of
silt or sediment carried to the Mexican gulf by
this river, according to Humphreys and Abbott,
is about 1-1, 500th the weight of the water, equiv-
alent for an average yea'r to 812,500,000,000,000
pounds, or a mass one square mile in area and
241 feet deep. "The new soil deposited in one
year by the Mississispi," says Guyot, "would
cover an area of 268 square miles with the
thickness of one foot." The water enters the
gulf by five channels called the Northeast Pass,
Southeast Pass, South Pass etc. The navigation of
these passes is partly obstructed by^ sand bars,
which are continually formed or shifted, and to
obviate this difliculty a system of jetties has
been constructed in the South Pass by Capt. J.
B. Eads, by authority of the National govern
ment, calculated to maintain a channel thirty
feet in depth,
II. THE WISCONSIN.
This stream, which washes for about ten
miles the northwest boundary of Dane county,
is much the most important of those which
drain the elevated lands of the State. Its total
length from its source lo its mouth is about 450
miles. It forms, with its valley, the main topo-
graphical feature of central Wisconsin. Rising
in Lac Vieux Desert, on the summit of the Ar-
chaean watershed, at an elevation of 951 feet
above Lake Michigan, it pursues a gener.al
southerly course for -300 miles over the crystal-
line rocks, and then, passing on to the sand-
stones which form its bed for the remainder
of its course, continues to the southward some
eighty miles more. Turning then westward, it
reaches the Mississippi within forty miles of
the south line of the State, at an elevation of
only thirty feet above Lake Michigan, so that
its fall from Lac Vieux Desert is 921 feet — an
average of a fraction over two feet to the mile.
Like all other streams which run to the south,
southeast and southwest from the crystalline
rocks, it has its quite distinct upper or crystal-
line rock portion and its lower or sandstone
portion. -This river, however, may be regarded
as having three distinct sections, the first in-
cluding all that part from the source to the last
appearance of crystalline rocks in the bed of
thfe stream, in the southern part of Wood
county ; the second, that part from this point
to the dells on the south line of Adams and
Juneau counties; and the third, that portion
from the dells to the mouth of the stream. The
first of these divisions is broken constantly by
rapids and falls, caused by the descent south of
the surface of the Archican area, and by the
obstructions produced by the inclined ledges of
rock which cross the stream. The second and
third sections are alike in being almost entirely
without rapids or falls, and in the nature of the
red rock, but are separated by the contracted
gorge known as the dells, which, acting in
some sort as a dam, prevents any considerable
rise in the river .below, the water above not in-
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
frequently . rising as much as fifty feet in flood
seasons, whilst below the extreme fluctualioii
does not exceed ton feet. The total lengths of
the Archioan upper sandstone and lower sand-
stone sections of the river are, respectively, 250,
sixty-two and 130 miles; the distance through
the dells being about seven and a half miles.
The width of the river, where it enters Mara-
thon county, is from 300 to 500 feet. It pursues
a general southerly course through townships
29,28,27, 26, 25 and 2 4 north, of range 7 east,
and townsliips 24 and 23 north, of range 8 east,
in the southern portion of Portage county.
In this part of its course the Wiscon-
sin flows througli a densely timbered country,
and has, except where it makes rapids or
passes through rock gorges, a narrow bottom
land, which varies in width, is usually raised
but a few feet above the water level, and is
wider on one side than on the other. Above
this bottom terraces can often be made out,
with surfaces in some cases one or two miles in
width. Above, again, the countrj' surface
rises steadily to the dividing ridges on each
side, never showing the blufl^ edges so charac-
teristic of the lower reaches of the river. Heavy
rapids and falls are made at Wausau (Big Hull
Falls), at jSIosinee (Little Bull Falls), at Stevens
Point and on section 8, in township 23 north,
of range 8 east (Contant's Rapids). All but
the last named of these are increased in height
by artificial dams. Two miles below the foot
of Contant's Rapids, just after receiving; the
Plover river on the east, the Wisconsin turns a
right angle to the west and enters upon the
sparsely timbered sand plains, through wliich
it flows for 100 miles. At the bend the river
is quiet, with high banks of sand, and a few
low outcro])sof gneiss at the water's edge. From
the bend the course is westward for about nine
miles, then, after curving southward again, the
long series of rapids soon begins, which, with
intervening stretches of still water, extend
about fifteen miTes along the river to the last
rapid at Point Bass in southern Wood county.
East of the river line, between the city of
Grand Rapids and Point Bass, the country
rises gradually, reaching altitudes of 100 feet
above the river at points ten or fifteen miles
distant. On the west the surface is an almost
level plain, descending gradually as the river
.is receded from. At Point Bass the gneissic
rocks disappear beneath the sandstones which
for some miles have formed the upper portions
of the river banks and now become in turn, the
bed rock, and the first division of the river's
course ends. The main tributaries which it
has received down to this point are, on the
left bank, the Big Eau Claire, three miles below
Wausau ; the Little Eau Claire, on the north
side of section 3, in township 25 north, of range
7 east, just south of the north line of Portage
county ; and the Big Plover, on section 9, in
township 28 north, of range 5 east, just at the
foot of Contant's Rapids ; on the right bank,
the Placata or Big Rib, about two miles below
Wausau ; the She-she-ga-ma-isk, or Big Eau
Pleine, on section 19, in township 26 north, of
range 7 east, in Marathon county ; and the
Little Eau Pleine, on section 9, in township 25
north, of range 7 east, in Portage county. All
of these streams are of considerable size and
drain large areas. They all make deviations
in their courses, so that their lengths are much
greater than the actual distances from their
sources, to the Wisconsin at the nearest point ;
and all of them have a very considerable
descent, making many rapids and falls over the
tilled edges of schistose and gneissic rocks,
evm down to within short distances of their
junctions with the main river.
The streams on the west side head on the
high country along the line of ^the fourth
principal meridian, about forty miles west of
the Wisconsin, and at elevations of from
200 to 300 feet above their mouths; those
on the east, head on the divide between the
Wisconsin and Wolf about twenty miles east,
at elevations not very much less. Reaching
back, as these streams do, into a country large-
u
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
ly timbered with pine, and having so large a
descent, they are of great value for logging
and milling purposes.
The second section of the Wisconsin river
begins at Point Bass with a width of from
700 to 900 feet. The next sixty miles of its
course, to the head of the dells, is a southerly
stretch, with a wide bow to the westward,
through sand plains, here and there timbered
with dwarf oaks, and interspersed with marshes.
Tliese plains stretch away to the east and west
for twenty miles from the river bottom, gradu-
ally rising in both directions. Scattering over
them, at intervals of one to ten miles, are ero-
sion peaks of sandstone, from fifty to .500 feet
in height, rising precipitously from the level
ground. Some of these are near and on the
bank of the river, which is also, in places, bor-
dered by low, mural exposures of the same
sandstone. The river itself is constantly ob-
structed by shifting sand bars, resulting from
the ancient disintegration of the sandstone,
which in the vicinity everywhere forms the
basement rock; but its course is not interrupt-
ed by rock rapids. As it nears the northern
line of Columbia county, the high ground that
limits the sand plane on the west, curving
southeastward, finally reaches the edge of the
stream, which, by its southeasterly course for
the last twenty miles, has itself approached the
high ground on the east. The two ridges thus
closing in upon the river, have caused it to cut
for itself the deep, narrow gorge known as the
dells.
In the section of its course the Wisconsin re-
ceives several important tributaries. Of those
on the east the principal ones are Duck creek
and Ten Mile creek, in the southern part of
Wood county, and tlie Little and Big Roche — a
Cris creeks, both 'in Adams county. The two
former head in a large marsh twenty-five miles
east of and over 100 feet above the main
stream. The two latter head on the high
dividing ridge, on the west line of Waushara
county, at elevations between 1 50 and 200 feet
above their mouths.
These streams do not pass through a timbered
country, but have very valuable water jiowers.
Of those on the west two are large and impor-
tant, the Yellow and Lemon weir rivers. Yel-
low river heads in township 25 north, in the ad-
joining corners of Wood, Jackson and Clark
counties, and runs a general southei-ly course
nearly parallel to the Wisconsin for over sev-
enty miles, the two gradually approaching one
another and joining in township 17 north, of
range 4 east. The yellow river has itsarchajan
and sandstone sections, the former exceedingly
rocky and much broken by fapids and falls,
the latter comparatively sluggish and without
rock rapids. The upper portions of the river
extend into the pine regions, and much logging
is done in times of high water. The water
powers are of great value. The Lemonweir is
also a large stream. Heading in a timbered re-
gion in the southeast corner of Jackson county,
it flows southward for some distance througrh
Monroe, and, entering Juneau on the middle of
its west side, crosses it in a southeasterly direc-
tion, reaching the Wisconsin on section 24, in
township 15 north, of range 5 east, having de-
scended in its length of some seventy miles
about 200 feet.
The Wisconsin enters the gorge, already spo-
ken of as the dells, not far above the southern
boundary line of Juneau and Adams counties.
This famous passage of about seven and one-
half miles has been often described. At its fork,
between the counties of Sauk and Columbia, the
Wisconsin enters upon the last section of its
course and also upon the most remarkable bend
in its whole length. Through the dells its
general course is southward, but it now turns
almost due east, in which direction it continues
with one or two subordinate turns southward
for about seventeen miles through low sand
banks as far as Portage. Here it bends abrupt-
ly south again, and, reaching its most eastern
point not far below, soon swerves around into
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
75
tlie final southwestward stretch to the Missis-
sippi. The cause of this long detour to the
east is sufficiently evident. As the river leaves
the (lolls it finds lyingdirectly athwart its course
two bold quartzite ranges, extending east
and west througli Sauk county for upward
of twenty miles, and crossing into Columbia,
finally unite about eight miles east of the coun-
ty line in a sharp and bold eastwardly project-
ing ]i(iint, rising 400 feet above the river bot-
tom.
Above Portage where the Wisconsin forms
the southern boundary line of the town of Lew-
iston, the ground immediately north is lower
than the water in the river — the heads of Nee-
nah creek, a tributary of the Fo.x, rising a short
distance from its banks. In times of high wa-
ter, the Wisconsin overflows into these streams,
and thus contributes to a totally different river.
At Portage, the Fo.';, after fiow ing south of west
for twenty miles, approaches the Wisconsin,
coming from the opposite direction. Where the
two streams are nearest, they are less than two
miles apart, and are separated by a low, sandy
plain, the water in the Fox being five feet below
that of the Wisconsin at ordinary stages. The
greater ])art of this low ground is overflowed by
the latter stream in times of high water, and to
this is chiefly due the spring rise in the Fox
river.
After doubling the eastern end of the quart-
zite ranges, as already said, the Wisconsin turns
again to the west, being forced to this by im-
pinging on the north side of a high bell of lime-
stone country, which, after trending southward
across the eastern part of Columbia county, veers
gradually to a westerly direction, lying to the
south of the river, along the rest of its course.
Soon after striking this limestone region, the
river valley assumes an altogether new character,
which it retains to its mouth, having now a
nearly level, for the most part treeless bottom,
from three to six miles in width, ten to thirty
feet in height, usually more on one side than on
the other, and bounded on both sides by bold
and often precipitous blufl^s, 100 to 350 feet in
height, of sandstone capped with limestone.
Immediately along the water's edge is usually a
narrow timbered strip, rising two to four feet
above the river, which is overflowed at high
water. The line of bluffs along the north side
of thii valley is the northern edge of the high
limestone belt just mentioned, which reaches its
greatest elevation ten to fifteen miles south of
this edge. In front of the main bluff-face, es-
pecially in its eastern extension, are frequently
to be seen bold and high isolated outliers of the
limestone country. On the north bank, the
bluft's are at first the edges of similar large out-
lying masses, but farther down they become
more continuous, the river crossing over the
north westward trending outcrop line of the
Lower Magnesian limestone.
In this last section of its course, the Wiscon-
sin is much obstructed by bars of shifting sand,
derived originally from the erosion of the great
sandstone formation which underlies the whole
region, and to whose existence the unusual
amount of obstruction of this kind in the river
is due. The altitude of the water surface of the
Wisconsin at Lac Vieux Desert above Lake
Michigan is 951 feet; at Wausau, above dam, 623
feel; at Knowlton (high), 538 feet— (low), 523
feet; at Stevens Point,485 feet; atContantsRap-
ids,468 feet; at Grand Rapids — railroad bridge —
420 feet; at Kilbourn City — railroad bridge — 233
feet; at Portage, 211 feet; at Merrimack, 182 feet;
at Sauk City, 165 feet; at Spring Green bridge,
134 feet; at Muscoda, 115 feet; at the mouth of
the stream, 34 feet. The average velocity of the
river below Portage is remarkably uniform, and
is just about two miles per hour. The daily
discharges of the river at Portage, in times of
extreme low water, is about 259,000,000 cubic
feet. The average fall of the water surface of
the river below Portage is one and one-half feet
per mile. This rapid fall, were it not for the
great amount of sand in the river bed, would
■76
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
make the stream a series of pools and rock rap-
ids.
II. — THE KICKAPOO.
The Kickapoo rises in Monroe county, that is,
its main or east branch; which is frequently
termed the Kickapoo proper. It runs a south-
west course after entering Vernon county,
through the towns of Whitestown, Stark, touch-
ing Webster, and then after crossing into Rich-
land, in which county it flows in a south course,
returns to Vernon, in the town of Liberty, and
at a point on section 33, in the town of Kicka-
poo, receives the west branch. The river after-
ward takes a southwesterly course, leaving Ver-
non county on section 16, in the town last men-
tioned. The river runs through Crawford
county, in a southerly direction and empties into
the Wisconsin, on section 11, in the town of
Wauzeka, just below the village of the same
name.
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
11
CHAPTER II
TOPOGRAPHY
A much clearer and more correct Jcnowledge
can be obtained of the topographical features
and geological formations of the count}', by re-
ferring by townships to its water sheds, streams,
springs, prairies, forests, soils and sub-soils,
clays and underlying formations, than from
general remarks on its entire area.
By carefully studying the references to each
congressionally-surveyed township in the
county, it will be seen that the whole region
lies within the great driftless area of the State,
and that its surface contour has never been
modified by glacial action.
We notice here high rolling ridges of land,
intersected in all directions with deep ravines
and valleys, often bordered with precipitous
cliffs, — the elevation of the ridges above the
valleys being from 300 to 500 feet. The valleys
in their length and breadth are the effect of
erosion only; but it seems probable that the
streams formerly were much larger and acted
with greater rapidity and force. When we
mentally reconstruct the country, as it must
once have been, by filling up the valleys with
the formations now found on their sides, and
then add the formations whose outlines still
remain, wo can appreciate the immense denuda-
tion which the counti'y has undergone.
TOrOGEAl'HICAL FEATURES AND GEOLOGICAL FOR-
MATIONS OF THE VARIOUS SURVEYED TOWNSHIPS.
TowNSHir S, range 3 west (Marietta in jiart).
This township is very hilly and rough land.
The bills are high, steep, and covered with
heavy timber of maple, elm, oak and basswood.
The soil is ii sandy clay. The formations are
AND GEOLOGY.
Potsdam, Lower Magnesian and St. Peters
sandstone.
Township 9, range 3 west (Scott). The
divide between Knapp creek and the Kickapoo
passes irregularly through the townsliip from
section 31 to section 5. The ridge is, in
some places, quite wide, and contains some
good farming land. The township is well
watered by numerous streams flowing from its
center in all directions. The timber is very
large and dense. The Potsdam covers one-
third of the township, including all the valleys,
and the Lower Magnesian the rest, except-
ing a narrow belt of St. Peters along the divide.
Township ]0, range 3 west (Clayton in part).
The divide mentioned in township 9 con-
tinues through township 10, from sections 32 to
section 3, with numerous lateral spurs and ridges.
The township consists chiefly of high, roiling,
ridge land, with numerous ravines running
down to the streams. The .soil is clay, and the
timber very dense and large, with but little
unilerbrush. The principal trees are raa])le and
elm. Along the crest of the divide, on .sections
3, 9, 16 and 20, are some very conspicuous
mounds formed by outliers of St. Peters sand-
stone. Sink holes are also of frequent occur-
rence. Water is obtained with difficulty on
the ridges. In places wells are sunk from 100
to 165 feet. The formations are the same as
in township 9.
Township 11, range 3 west (part of Clayton
in Crawford county, and of Kickapoo in Vernon
county). The eastern and central parts of this
78
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
township consist of high, wide, rolling ridges;
and the western part, of steep, rocky blujBfs.
The township is watered by the Kiclcapiio on
the west and north. Fine springs are very
numerous. The valley of the Kickapoo aver-
ages about a mile in width. The soil through-
out the township is clay and the timber very
heavy. The Potsdam covers about one-thiid of
the township; the Lower Magnesiaii, one-half;
and the St. Peters, one-sixth. Many loose
bowlders of the St. Peters are found on the
ridges where the formation cannot be found in
place. The general section, in this township,
of the formation is as follows:
Feet.
St. Peters sandstone .50
Lower Magnesiati limestone LiO
Potsdam sandstone 300
From ridge to valley, total ,500
Township?, range 4 west{Wauzeka in part).
The part of this township which lies north of
the Wisconsin river consists almost exclusively
of the alluvial bottoms of that river and the
Kickapoo. It is densely timbered with elm,
maple, basswood, butternut, etc., with a deep,
black, swampy soil. The hills which inclose
the rivers are found along the north line of the
township. The formations are Potsdam and
Lower Magnesian.
Township 8, range 4 west (parts of Wauzeka,
Marietta and Eastman). There is a high ridge
running in a northeasterly course through tills
township, from which the ground slopes to the
Kickapoo and Wisconsin rivers. The country
is very hilly, the ridges narrow and broken by
deep ravines. The soil is clay, and the timber
very large and dense. The township is well
watered by the Kickapoo and its several
branches. There are a great many large springs
in the valley of the Kickapoo. The Potsdam
covers about one-sixth of the township; the
Lower Magnesian, two-thirds; and the St.
Peters sandstone aiid Trenton limestone, one
sixth. The general section of this township,
taken from the ridge of the Kickapoo is:
Feet
T.enton limestdne 30
St. Peters sandstone 100
Lower Magnesian limesto)ie .180
Piitsdam sandstone 170
Total from ridge to valley 480
Township 9, range 4 west (Haney). A large
part of this township is occupied by the valley
of the Kickapoo, which is from one-half to a
mile wide. The stream is about 200 feet wide,
very crooked and sluggish. On each side of
the river the country is very hilly. The valley
of the Kickapoo and the country to the east of
it has the heavy timber — maple, elm, etc.; but,
west of the valley, the hills are smooth and
bare, many of them showing terraces of the
Potsdam, and the timber is white oak in grove,
on the tops of the ridges. The formations are
Potsdam, one-third; Lower Magnesian, two-
thirds; and some ridges and mounds of St.
Peters on the eastern side.
Township 10, range 4 west, (east part of
Utica and west part of Clayton.) The general
features of tlus township are similar to those of
township 9. The valley of the Kickapoo is
wider, more sandy, and less heavily timbered.
Fine springs are very numerous. The forma-
tions are Potsdam and Lower Magnesian in
about equal parts.
Township 11, range 4 west, (part of Utica
in Crawford county, and of Franklin in Vernon
county.) This township is composed chiefly of
high, rolling ridge land, with a clay soil. In
the central part of the township the soil is rather
sandy, owing to a long belt of St. Peters which
crosses the township from section 4 to section
34. The timber consists of groves of large
white oaks. The formations are Potsdam one-
sixth; Lower Magnesian two-thirds; and St.
Peter 's sandstone, one-sixth.
Township 7, range 5 west, (Wauzeka in
part) This is a very hilly township. It is wa-
tered by the Wisconsin river, Grand Gris and
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
79
Little Kickapoo. The valleys and sides of the
ravines are heavily timbered with elm, maple,
basswood, butternut, etc. There are two very
high and wide ridges in the northerti and norlh-
western parts of the township, where the soil is
clay, rather shallow, and the limber smaller and
more scattering. All the formations from the
Potsdam to the Galena limestone, inclusive, are
represented.
Township 8, range 5 west, (parts of Wauze-
ka and Eastman.) The high ridge which di-
vides the Kickapoo and Mississippi rivers passes
through the west side of this township. From
it the country slopes to the east in wide, regu-
lar ridges, and deep narrow ravines. The soU
throughout the township is clay. The timber is
small and consists of groves of small black oak.
Much of the country is prairie and devoid of
timber. The geological formations are the
same as in township 7. The general section of
this township, from section 32 on the ridge to
section 36, on the Kickapoo, is as follows:
Feet.
Galena liraeslone 20
Blue limestone 25
Bluff lunestoue 20
St. Peter's aandslone 100
Lower Miignesian limestone 180
Postilam sandstone 100
From ridge to river, total 445
Township 9, range 5 west, (Seneca in part.)
The divide continues from the last township,
from section 31 to section 3. It is very high,
wide and rolling, with numerous subordinate
ridges. The township is well watered by numer-
ous small streams, and springs are found quite
near the summit of the ridge, issuing from the
numerous clay layers in the Trenton limestone.
The soil isclay,fre(juently rather sandy. The tim-
ber is oak, small but quite abundant. All the for-
mations from the Galena limestone to the Pots-
dam, are present; the St. Peter's and the Lower
Magnesian are the prevailing ones.
TowNsiiu- 10, range 5 west, (parts of Utica,
Freeman and Seneca.) The divide continues a
nearly north and south course from section 34
to section 3. The general features of the coun-
try are very similar to those of township 9. Much
of the township is prairie . The soil is a deep clay
and the timber light. With the exception of
the principal ridge, the country is very hilly
and the valleys very deep and narrow. The
formations are Potsdam, Lower Magnesian and
St. Peter's; the last two being the principal ones.
Township 11, ranges west, (parts of Utica
and Freeman in Crawford county, and of
Franklin iud Sterling in Vernon county.)
This is chiefly a prairie country; the divide is
high, wide and rolling, extending from section
35 to section 1. There are no large streams in
the township, but numerous small ravines run-
ning east and west from the divide. Small
springs are quite numerous and the greater part
of the township is available for agricultural
purposes. The formations are St Peters and
Lower Magnesian in about equal parts.
Township 6, range 6 west (part of the town
of Bridgeport and of the city of Prairie du
Chien.) That part of this township which lies
north of the Wisconsin river consists of the
rich alluvial bottom lands of that stream, with
numerous sloughs and swamps. The bluffs
which inclose the river on the north commence
near the north line of the township. The town-
ship is well timbered; soil, clay. The forma-
tion is Lower Magnesian.
Township 7, range G west, (jiarts of the towns
of Bridgeport anil Prairie du Chien and of the
citj' of Prairie du Chien.) TIk' high ridge
which divides the Kickapoo and the Mississippi
begins in this township and I'uiis northeast,
passing out at section 2. The ridge is wide,
level and heavily timbered with white, black
and burr oak. The soil is clay. The township
is well watered and springs are quite numerous.
On the west side is the valley of the Missisippi
from one to two miles wide between the bluffs
and the river. Its soil is sandy. All the
formations are present from the Galena to the
Lower Magnesian, inclusive.
80
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
Township 8, range 6 west,(part of Eastman.)
The land in this township is very hilly and
rough, heing composed of long, straight ridges,
which run east and west and become quite nar-
row as they approach the Mississippi on the
west. There are a great many good springs
arising near the ridge which in the course of a
half mile sink into the ground, so that the large
ravines although deep, seldom have any water
in them. The soil is clay and in the western part
quite stony. The timber is small and rather
sparse. The formations are Galena limestone
to Potsdam sandstone, inclusive. The general
section of this township from section 23 to tlie
Mi.'-sissippi river is as follows:
Feet.
Galena limestone 50
Trenton limestone (blue and butf ) 40
St. Peters sandstone 110
Lower Magnesian limestone 250
Potsdam sandstone 20
• From ridge to valley, total 470
Township 9, range o west, (part of Seneca)
The bend of the Mississippi river causes this to
be a fractional township, containing only about
twelve square miles. It is composed of steep and
rocky bluffs, forming the ends of ridges, often
making perpendicular cliffs and escarpments of
rock for long distances along the bank of the
river. The township is covered with small tim-
ber. The ridges are very high, narrow and
steep. The formations are the same as in town-
ship 9, just mentioned.
Township 10, range 6 west, (parts of Seneca
and Freeman). This is also a fraction.al town-
ship and contains about twenty square miles.
It is well watered by the Mississippi river and
Sugar, Buck and Copper creeks. Fine iarwe
springs are very numerous. The soil through-
out the township is clay and the timber small
but abundant. The valleys and ridges are wide.
The formations are the Potsdam and Lower
Magnesian in about equal parts.
Township 11, range 6 west, (part of Free-
man in Crawford county, and of Wheatland
and Sterling in Vernon-county). This township
consists chiefly of high rolling, ridge land, hav-
ing an elevation from 400 to 550 feet above the
Mississippi. The principal ridge is very wide
aiul runs east and west through the northern
part of the township, with numerous smaller
ridges running north and south. The soil is
clay, in some parts rather sandy. The timber
is small, but abundant. Water is very scarce
on the ridges. The only stream is Rush creek
in the southern part of the township; it has a
rich and fertile valley about half a mile in
width. The formations are Potsdam, Lower
Magnesian and St. Peters; the two latter pre-
dominating.
Township 11, range 7 west, (part of Free-
man in Crawford county, and Wheatland in
Vernon county). This is a township made frac-
tional by the Mississippi river, and contains
about sixteen square miles. It is very hilly.
Tlie river runs close to the bluffs, which are high
and precipitous. The soil is clay and the tim-
ber white oak. The formations are Potsdam,
Lower Magnesian and St. Peters, the second
being the prevailing one.
Fractionai, townships, 6, (being a part of
Bridgeport), 7, (being a portion of the city and
town of Prairie du Chien), 8, (being a part
of Eastman) and 10, (being a portion of
Freeman), range V west. These fractional
townships lie immediately upon the Mississippi
river, tbe land being in many places subject to
overflow in high water.
Fractional townships 7, range .3 west, (in
Marietta), and fractional township 6, range 7
west, (in Wauzeka), both lie immediately north
of, and are washed by the Wisconsin river.
exposures of the POTSDAM SANDSTONE.
There are some fine exposures of the Potsdam
sandstone in Crawford county.
(1.) There is one on the northwest quarter
of section 11, township 10, range 4 west, (Clay-
ton), where a small creek enters the Kickapoo.
(2.) On the Kickapoo, on the southwest
quarter ef section 27, township 9, range 4 west,
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
81
.(Haney), where the top of the Potsdam is
distinctly marked by a bed of white sandstone
fifteen feet thick. Above it are the transition
beds, and the lower beds of the Lower Magne-
sian. Tiie Potsdam is also exposed for fifty feet
below its junction with the Lower Magiiesian,
and consists of heavy-bedded white and yellow
sandstones. The blufiEs, in this vicinity, present
this appearance for a distance of about a mile.
The productions of the Potsdam, which are
of importance in an economical point of view,
are iron, building stone and mineral waters.
Iron, in the form usually of hematite, is found
in Crawford county, but none is mined. Build-
ing stone and sand, for mortar and plaster-
ing, are obtainable ; but it is in the mineral
waters obtained by means of artesian wells that
the Potsdam is most valuable as yet to the
county. An account of these wells will be
given hereafter.
LOWER MAGXESIAN LIMESTONE.
This formation is an important one because
by its decomposilion it produces a rich and fer-
tile soil on the ridges, and being washed down
into the valleys, it fertilizes the otherwise bar-
ren sand derived from the Potsdam.
In the valley of the Mississippi there is no
formation which presents finer or more I'reipient
exposures. Its hardness, and the frequent
joints which it contains, predispose it to form
the lofty cliffs and precipices which form such
an impressive feature in the scenery of the
river.
At Prairie du Chien, tlie upper and middle
portions are exposed, but the entire thickness is
not seen unlil about six miles above, when the
lower layers are exposed. Proceeding u|) the
river, the formation constantly occupies a higher
position in the bluffs.
f
This limestone is ahvays light-colored, em-
bracing all shades of yellow and gray, and is
sometimes perfectly white. In texture it is
hard and compact, the separate grains of
which it is composed being seldom distinguish-
able. It usually presents an indistinct crystalline
appearance, but the crystals are never large
enough to present distinct faces or a clearage.
Exposed surfaces of this formation always
weather very irregularly by the removal of the
lime through the usual atmospheric agencies.
Small irregular cavities and hollows are thus
formed in all i)arts, and in cliff exposures small
holes and caves are sometimes seen, usually
penetrating but a short distance.
The Lower Magiiesian limestone always over-
lies the Potsdam conformably; that is, no denu-
dation of the latter appears to have taken place
before the former was deposited. The line of
demarkation between the two formation.s is
sometimes very distinctly defined by beds of
limestone devoid of sand overlying tiie white
sandstone of the Potsdam. 'i'hc transition
beds are, however, usu;illy present, and the
Lower Magnesian sometimes graduates almost
insensibly into the Potsdam. The stratification
of the Lower Magnesian is very regular and
uiiifoiin ; in some of the exposures, as in the
clitYs along the .Mississippi river, the same beds
can be traced continuously for long distances.
The greatest thickness which the Lower Magne-
sian is found to attain anywhere north of the
Wisconsin river is 250 feet. The least thickness
yet observed is 100 feet. This can be seen in the
northwest quarter of section 5, township 9,
range 5 west, (Seneca). Its average thickness
may be stated at about IVo feet. These meas-
ures of thickness refer to localities where the
I'lirination is overlaid by the St. Peters.
The following is a list of localites in Crawford
county where the exposures of the Lower Mag-
nesian limestone offer facilities for the study of
the foriiKition :
(1.) At DeSoto, on the Mississippi river,
where the formation affords a fine, close-grained
and durable building stone. It is of a very
light color, and often nearly white.
(2.) Section 6, township 7, range 6 west,
(Prairie du Chien), where there are many fine
cliff exposures overlaid with bluffs of St. Peters.
82
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
(3.) Section 18, township 8, range 6 west,
(Eastman), where, along the Mississippi river,
there are long, continuous cliff exposures«of the
formation, overlying the upper beds of the Pots-
dam, and affording good opportunities to exam-
ine the transition beds.
No very extensive or valuable deposits of
metallic are found in the Lower Magnesian
formation in Crawford county. A few lo-
calities of copper and lead exisit, which show
that the formation is not entirely destitute of
metallic contents. Copper has been found on
the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter,
and the northwest quarter of the southeast
quarter of section 20, township 8, range 5 west,
(Eastman). This is in the valley of Plum
creek, a small tributary of the Kickapoo, and
about two miles above its junction with that
stream. Here the copper has been mined.
The existence of copper ore here has been
known for a number of years, and small quan-
tities have been from time to time extracted ;
but it was not until 1>^G0 that any systematic
attempt at mining was begun. In 1858, the
land was purchased by a company of five per-
sons, residents of New York city, who com-
menced work in 1860, and abandoned it in 1861
on account of the war. Since then no work
has been done in the Plum Creek Copper Mine,
as it is called. About two car loads of ore were
shipped. An analysis of some of the ore found
at the mine gives only a little over ten per
cent, of metallic copper, which is hardly a re-
sult to justify additional expense in developing
this mine.
The Copper Creek mine is on the northeast
quarter of section 34, township 10, range o west,
(Utica). The mines of this locality are situ-
ate about three-quarters of a mile southwest of
the village of Mt. Sterling, and on the side of
a hill sloping toward one of the branches of
Copper creek. The dej)osit of copper ore was
discovered, in 1843, by William T. Sterling. It
was first worked by him and George Messer-
smith they paying a tribute of one-sixteenth to
the United States. During this time, a speci-*
men weighing 300 pounds was sent to the
patent office. In the work performed by these
men, 20,000 pounds of ore were taken out,
when the best part of the deposit appeared to
be exhatisted and the work was suspended for
two years. In 184^ the ground was leased to a
German company who worked it abotit a year,
their work being chiefly drifting and prospect-
ing, after which time they abandoned it as un-
profitable.
The property remained idle until 1856, when
it was leased to a New York company, who
worked it from May to September, producing
20,000 pounds of ore, at a cost of about 14,000 ;
since then the land has never been worked.
In an analysis of the ore made abnut thirty
years ago less than twenty per cent, was metal-
lic copper.
The existence of lead in Crawford county, in
the Lower Magnesian formation, is confined to
the vicinity of the lower part of the Kickapoo
valley. The Little Kickapoo Lead Mine is
located on the northwest quarter of section 10,
township 7, range 5 west. (Wauzeka), in the
upper pari of the bluff on the north siile of the
Little Kickapoo, a small tributary of the Wiscon-
sin. Lead 01 e was first discovered here in the
year 1840, and was worked at intervals until the
year 1850. There have been obtained from this
mine from i!5,000 to 50,000 pounds of ore. An
analysis shows over eighty-two per cent, of metal-
lic lead. Thisisequaltoany found in Wisconsin.
There are evidences of other deposits in the coun-
try round about.
Wherever the Lower Magnesian is exposed,
there is always an abundance of good building
stone. Some of the best quarries in the county
are those at Prairie du Chien. This formation
also affords lime with as much facility as build-
ing stone All parts of the formation which are
free from flint will produce lime on burning.
There are several places in Crawford county
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COITNTY.
83
where lime is burned in kilns of tlie simplest
form and constrnction.
"^ ST. PETERS SANDSTONE.
Owing to the elevation attained by the sever-
al formations, through their gradual rise in a
northerly di''ection, and to the great and general
denudation to which the country has been sub-
jected, the St. Peters sandstone is only found
in isolated areas of comparatively small extent
and confined to the highest parts of the ridges.
The area of this formation begins in township 6,
range 6 west, (Bridgeport), and extends in a
northerly direction through the county. On the
west it approaches to the Mississippi in town-
ship 10, range 6 west, (parts of Seneca and Free-
man), and maybe traced along the bluffs of that
river and all its tributary streams, in a belt
varying from a mile in width on the north, to a
quarter of a mile wide opposite Prairie du Chien;
thence, along tht- bluffs of the Wisconsin and
its tributaries to the Kickapoo. On the eastern
side of the divide, it is seldom found more than
two or three miles from the principal ridge, but
as the country descends more gradually to the
Kickapoo than, to the Mississippi, it covers rela-
tively a much larger area than on the west-
ern slope; and in township 10, range 5 west,
(parts of Utica, Seneca and Freeman), it is the
surface rock over about one-half of the town-
ship.
The country just described embraces many
fine ex])osures among which may be nu-ntioiied
till- following:
1. The mounds near Mt. Sterling, which are
chiefly composed of sandstone. 2. A ledge
fifiy feet high near the quarter post of sections
15 and 22, in township s, range .5 west, (East-
man). 3. A mound on the southwest quarter
of section 34, townshi}) 8, range 5 west, (East-
man).
The following exposures are situated on the
ridge between Knapp creek and the Kickapoo:
1. In townships, range 4 west, (Marietta),
the St. Peters is the surface rock in parts of the
following sections: 1, 2, 11, 12, l:i, 14,15,20,
21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33 and
34. Its total area is a little more than seven
square miles. There is one good exposure
where it forms a mound in the southeast quar-
ter of section 2.
2. In township 8, range 3 west, (Marietta),
a branch of the same range is seen, extending
through sections 6, 7, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and
29, forming an area of about three square miles,
with one fine ledge exposure near the center of
section 7.
3. The same sandstone ridge continues in a
northerly direction through sections 36, 25 and
24 in township 9, of range 4,(Haney), and through
sections 31, 30, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 10, 9, 8, 4, 5
and 6, in township 9, of range '3 west, (Scott),
and runs out in sections 3 I and 32, of township
10, range 3 west, (Clayton), comprising a surface
area of six sections. There is also an isolated
area on sections 13, 14, 23 and 24 in township 9,
range 3 west, (Scott), equal to one section.
4. In township 10, range 3 west, (Clayton),
there are two large isolated areas: the first is on
sections 22, 23, 26, 27, 35 and 36 having an ex-
tent of two square miles; the second is on sec-
tions 3, 4, 9, 16, 17 and 20 having an extent of
one and a half square miles. On the latter are
four prominent mounds of large size, which
afford fine opportunities for studying the forma-
tion.
TRENTON, OR BDFF AND BLUE LIME.STONE.
These two formations, which are usually con-
sidered collectively, are occasionally found north
of the Wisconsin river. They usually attain
their average thickness, which is about
twenty-five feet each. There are no useful ores
found in this formation north of the Wisconsin.
The blue limestone would furnish an excellent
material for burning to lime; but it is not used
for that purpose.
A very singular deposit is to be seen at the
village of Seneca, in the lower part of the buff
limestone. It forms a small eminence a short
distance north of the village. The dijiosit con-
sists of a conglomerate, formed of quartz peb-
84
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
bles of small size, and sand in large rounded
grains, firmly united with iron as a cementing
material. The pebbles are seldom more than
half an inch in the longest dimension, consisting
always of white or transparent quartz, and al-
ways smoot'ly rounded, evidently having been
rolled by the action of water.
The extent of the deposit is small, covering
only about an acre and not exceeding five or six
feet in depth. Several pits have been sunk in
it, and numerous large masses of the conglom-
erate taken out in attempts to utilize it as iron
ore; but, on account of the large amount of
quartz ore material, which constitutes nearly
one-half of tlie entire bulk, it is useless as an
ore. This deposit derives its chief interest from
the fact that it is the only ore of the kind found
anywhere in the formation
1. The Trenton forms the surface rock in
sections 3, 10, 11, 15, 16, IT, 18, 19, 20, 21, 29,
30, 31 and 32, in township 9, of range 5 west,
(Seneca). On section 20, the Galena limestone
appears, and buflp and blue form a belt surround-
ing it. This belt, commencing on section 20,
runs southwest to the bluffs of the Mississippi;
thence south along that stream and all its tribu-
taries; thence east and north about the upper
parts of the Grand Gris, Little Kickapoo and
Plum creek; thence north to the head of Otter
creek to the point of departure. Compared
with this large tract all the other areas are small.
2. The blue limestone is found on sections
13, U, 21, 22, 23 and 28 in township S, of
range 4 west, (Marietta), lying on the crest of
the ridge in a long strip about half a mile in
width, comprising an area of about two sections.
■". There is also a semi-circular strip, on
sections 1 and 2, in the same township, extend-
ing into section 6, of township 8, in range 3 west,
(Marietta), and forming an .area equal to one
square mile.
4. In township 10, range 5 west, (Utica), the
two small mounds near the village of Mt. Ster-
ling are capped with buff limestone.
5. In township 11, range 5 west, (Utica), is
an area of about two square miles, surrounding
the village of Rising Sun, lying on sections 14,
15, (in Vernon county), 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 35, and
on the divide between the Mississippi and Kick-
apoo rivers.
GALEXA LIMESTONE.
This sub-division of the Trenton period is
found in a strip averaging about a mile in width,
occu]>ying tlie highest part of the ridge between
the Kickapoo and Mississippi, extending from
section '^0, in township 9, of range 5 west (Sene-
ca), to section 28, township 7, of range 6 west,
(Prairie du Chien), a distance of about fourteen
miles. From this ridge, the formation extends
west, towards the Mississippi, in three small,
subordinate ridges; and on the east, it extends
for a short distance on the ridges between the
Grand Gris, Little Kickapoo, Plum and Pine
creeks. This formation isusually hard and com-
pact in texture, of a yellow color and contains
numerous fiints disseminated through it. It
is almost devoid of organic remains, and has
not been found to contain any ores or minerals '
of value.
GEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE UNDERLYING FOR-
MATIONS OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
[By T. C. ChamberliQ, State Geologist.]
I. — Potsdmn Sandstone.
After the great Archtean upheaval, there fol-
lowed a long period, concciiiing which very lit-
tle is known — a lost interval in geological his-
tory. It is only certain that immense erosion of
the Archaean strata took place, and that in time
the sea advanced upon the island, eroding its
strata and re-depositing the wash and wear be-
neath its surface. The more resisting beds
withstood this advance, and formed reefs and
rocky islands off the ancient shore, about whose
bases the sands and sediments accumulated, as
they did over the bottom of the surrounding
ocean. The breakers, dashing .against the rocky
clifl's, brought down masses of rock, which im-
bedded themselves in the sands, or were rolled
and rounded on the beach, and at length were
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
85
buried, in either case, to tell their own history,
when they should be again disclosed by the
ceaseless gnawiiigs of the very elements that
had buried them. In addition to the accumula-
tions of wash and wear that have previously
been the main agents of rock formations, abund-
ant life now swarms in the ocean, and the sands
become the great cemetery of its dead. Though
the contribution of each little being was small,
the myriad millions the waters brought forth,
yielded by their remains, a large contribution to
the accumulating sediments. Among plants
there were sea-weeds, and among animals, pro-
tozoans, radiates, mollusks and articulates, all
tlie sub-kingdoms e.vcept the vertebrates. Among
these, the most remarkable, both in nature and
number, were the trilobites, who have left their
casts in countless multitudes in certain localities.
Tlie result of the action of these several agen-
cies was the formation of extensive beds of
sandstone, with interstratified layers of lime-
stone and shale. These surrounded the Archfe-
an nucleus on all sides, and reposed on its
flanks. On the Lake Superior margin, the sea
acted on the copper and iron-bearing series,
wliicli are highly ferruginous, and the result was
tile red Lake Superior sandstone. On the oppo-
site side of the island, the wave-action was
mainly upon quartzitcs, porphyries and granites
and resulted in light-colored sandstones. The
former is confined to the immediate vicinity of
Like Superior; the latter occupies abroad, irreg-
ular belt bordering on the Archfean area on the
south, and, being widest in the central part of
llie State, is often likened to a rude crescent.
It will lie understood from the foregoing
description, I hat the strata of this formation lies
in a nearly horizontal po-ition, and repose un-
conformably upon the worn surface of the crys-
talline rocks. The close of this period was not
ui:irked by any great upheaval; tliere was no
crumpling or metamorphism of the strata, and
they iiave remained to the present day very
much the same as they were originally deposited,
save a slight arching upward in the central por-
tion of the State. The beds have been some-
what compacted by the pressure of superincum-
bent strata and solidified by the cementing ac-
tion of calcareous and ferruginous waters, and
by their own coherence, but the original char-
acter of the formation, as a great sand-bed, has
not been obliterated. It still bears the ripple-
marks, cross-lamination, worm-burrows, and
similar markings that characterize a sandy
beach. Its thickness is very irregular owing
to the unevenness of its Archrean bottom, and
may be said to range from 1,000 feet downward.
The strata slope gently away from the Archaean
core of the State and underlie all the latter for-
mations, and may be reached at any point in
southern Wisconsin by penetrating to a sufficient
depth, which can be calculated with an approx-
imate correctness. As it, is a water-bearing for-
mation, and the source of fine artesian wells,
this is a fact of much importance. The inter-
bedded layers of limestone and shale, by sup-
plying impervious strata, very much enhance its
value as a source of fountains.
II. — Lower Magnesian Limestone.
Daring the previous period, the accumulation
of sandstone gave place for a time to the forma-
tion of limestone, and afterward the deposit of
sandstone was resumed. At its close, without
any very remarked disturbance of existing con-
ditions, the formation of limestone was resumed,
and progressed with little interruption till a
thickness ranging from fifty to 250 feet was a'.-
tained. This variation is due mainly to irregu-
larities of the upper surface of the formation,
which is undulating, and in some localities may
ap|)ropriately be termed billowy, the surface
rising and falling 100 feet in some cases, within
a short distance. This, and the preceding sim-
ilar deposit, have been spoken of as linie.'^tone
simply, but they are really Dolomites, or Mag-
nesian limestones, since they contain a large
proportion of carbonate of magnesia. This rock
also contains a notable tjuantiiy of silicia, which
8d
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
occurs disseminated through the mass of rock;
or, variously, as nodules or masses of chert; as
crystals of quartz, tilling or lining drusy cavi-
ties, forming beautiful miniature grottoes; as
the nucleus of oolitic concretions, or as sand.
Some argillaceous matter also enters into its
composition, and small quantities of the ores of
iron, lead and copper, are sometimes found, but
they give little promise of value. The evidences
of life are very scanty. Some sea-weeds, a few
mollusks, and an occasional indication of other
forms of life, embrace the known list, except at
a few favored localities where a somewhat am-
pler fauna is found. But it is not, therefore,
safe to assume the absence of life in the depos-
iting seas, for it is certain that most limestone
has originated from the remains of animals and
plants that secrete calcareous material, and it is
most consistent to believe that such was the
case in the present instance, and that the dis-
tinct traces of life were mostly obliterated.
This formation occupies an irregular belt skirt-
ing the Potsdam area. It was, doubtless, orig-
inally a somewhat uniform band swinging
around the nucleus of the state already formed,
but it has since been eroded by streams to its
present jagged outline.
III. — St. Peter''s Sandstone.
At the close of this sandstone-making period
there appears to have been an interval of which
we have no record, and the next chapter of the
history introduces us to another era of sand ac-
cumulation. The work began by the leveling
up of the inequalities of the surface of the Lower
Magnesian limestone, and it ceased before that
was entirely accomplished in all parts of the
State, for a few prominences were left project-
ing through the sand deposits. The material
laid down consisted of a silicious sand, of uni-
form, well-rounded — doubtless well-rolled —
grains. This was evidently deposited horizon-
tally upon the uneven limestone surface, and so
rests in a sense unconformably upon it. Where
the sandstone abuts against the sides of the
limestone prominences, it is mingled with ma-
terial derived by wave action from them, which
tells the story of its formation. But aside from
these and other exceptional impurities, the for-
mation is a very pure sandstone, and is used for
glass manufacture. At most points the sand-
stone has never become firmly cemented and
readily crumbles, so that it is used for mortar
the simple handling with pick and shovel being
sufficient to reduce it to a sand. Owing to the
unevenness of its bottom, it varies greatly in
thickness, the greatest yet observed being 212
feet, but the average is less than 100 feet. Un-
til recently, no organic reinains had ever been
found in it, and the traces now collected are
very meagre indeed, but they are sufficient to
show the existence of marine life, and demon-
strate that it is an oceanic deposit. The rarity
of fossils is to be attributed to the porous nature
of the rock, which is unfavorable to their pres-
ervation. This porosity, however, subserves a
very useful purpose, as it renders this pre-em-
inently a water-bearing horizon, and supplies
some of the finest artesian fountains in the
State, and is competent to furnish many more.
It occupies but a narrow area at the surface,
fringing that of the Lower Magnesian limestone
on the south.
IV. — Trenton Limestone.
A slight change in the oceanic conditions
eavised a return to limestone formation, accom-
panied with the deposit of considerable clayey
material, which formed shale. The origin of
the limestone is made evident by a close exam-
ination of it, which shows it to be full of frag-
ments of shells, corals, and other organic re-
mains, or the impressions they have left. Count-
less numbers of the lower forms of life flourished
in the seas, and left their remains to be com-
minuted and consolidated into limestone. A
part of the time the accumulation of clayey
matter predominated, and so layers of shale al-
ternate with the limestone beds, and shaly
leaves and partings occur in the limestone lay-
ers. Unlike the calcareous strata above and
below, a portion of these are true limestone
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
SI
containing but a very small proportion of mag-
nesia. A sufficient amount of carbonaceous mat-
ter is present in some layers to cause them to
burn readily. This formation is quite highly
metalliferous in certain portions of the lead
region, containing zinc especially, and consider-
able lead, with less quantities of other metals.
The formation abounds in fossils, many of them
well preserved, and, from their great antiquity,
thiy possess uncommon interest. All the ani-
m:il sub-kingd(ims, except vertebrates, are rep-
I eseiited. The surface area of this rock borders
the St. Peter's sandstone. Its thickness reaches
120 feet.
88
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
CHAPTER III
ANCIENT INHABITANTS.
The first people of Crawford county, who
were they? The question, of course, can never
can be answered. We know that, scattered
over it in various directions, there once lived a
race, concerning which all that has come down
to us is exceedingly shadowy. These people
are denominated the
MOUND BUILDERS.
Vestiges of the labor of the so-called mound
builders still exist in Crawford county, in the
form of earthworks consisting of mounds; some
•udely representing animals; others seemingly
like low battlements; while a third variety are
simply elevations, usually conical in shape.
ANCIEXT MOUNDS.*
On the questions of the origin and design of
these monuments of antiquity, I have but little
at present to say. On these questions much has
been said and written, but from it all the world
has become but little the wiser eh- better. Their
existence, together with the evidence we have
of design, taste or ambition to perpetuate the
memory of some noted event or honored indi-
vidual, give ample evidence of intelligence far
in advance of the Aboriginees found here by
the Anglo-Saxon race, who at present occupy
the country.
The trees frequently found growing upon
them of 400 years' growth declare their
antiquity and tiie recent discoveries in the cop-
per region of Lake Superior of mines over which
trees of the same age are growing, makes it
* "Ancient Mounds: or, Tumuli in Crawford County,"
Kead before the Wisconsin Historical Society, at its annual
meeting, January, 1860, by Alfred Brun?on, of Prairie du
Cbieu.
probable that the same race who wrought those
mines also built these mounds.
Who these ancient people were, whence they
came and what became of them, have been ques-
tions of deep and abiding interest for the last
fifty years, or since the whites have been set-
tling the great valley in which their works
abound; and various methods have been re-
sorted to to derive some plausible answer to
eich question, but all to no purpose. Indeed,
he who can answer one can answer the others.
But nothing has, aft yet, come to light satisfac-
tory to the public mind on this engrossing sub-
ject.
The Book of Mormon, which has caused two
civil wars, cost many lives and is now founding
a new State, if not a new empire, among the
mountains of California, is the first, the last
and the only book ever published purporting to
he a history of the people who in habited this
country at the time when the tumuli and fortifica-
tions were erected.* But as no one except the
followers of the prophet give any credence
whatever to the story, the world is not the wliit
the wiser for the information it contains, and
we remain in the dark, and probably shall till
the end of time, as to who were the people who
did this work, where they came from, what be-
came of them, or what was their design in
erecting these mounds.
» The late Prof. C. S. Raflnesque wrote the Ancient An-
nals of Kentucky, prefixed to Marshall's History of Ken-
tucky, published in 1834. These Ancient Annals profess to
trace the Alioriftinal history of Kentucky from the creation
throiiBh si.v periods, down to a eompariiiivcly modi'tri date,
giyinK quite minute details of Noah's and PcIck's llo(lll^, and
many ci>n(iiiests and re-conquests of the i ntry by the op-
posing Indian tribes. It is a grotesque i.roilnction, and de-
serves to be. ranked, in point of historical authority, with the
veritable Book of Mormon,
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
80
Tlie fact t]iat human bones have been found
in some of them is no evidence that they were
erected as tombs for the honored dead; because
the Aborigines found here by the whites, have
long been in the habit of buryiTig their dead in
them; and s many of these tumuli have been
opened without finding either bones or anything
else in them but soil, the presumption is very
strong that the bones sometimes found in them
are from the interments of the Indians who
more recently occupied the country.
For aught that I know, or any one else
knows, they may have been built for tombs; but
I say the finding of bones in them at this time
is no evidence of such a design; and one very
strong, and to me unanswerable argument in
favor of this position, is, what must be known
by every one, that human bones could not have
continued in them undecayed for the space of
400 years, the acknowledged age of these
tumuli. In some instances, and in positions, or
under circumstances peculiarly calculated to
preserve them, as by embalming, or being in
dry nitrous caves, bones have been preserved
for a longer period; but no case can be found
on record where such preservation has been had
with bones exposed to the dampness of the soil,
or mixed with the earth, as those found in
these tumuli are.
In some few instances slabs of stone were
placed around the bones; but the rude masonry
found in such cases would be no protection from
dampness, while surrounded with a damp soil;
and it must be admitted that thin rude masonry
corresponds much better with the rude state of
the modern Aborigines, than with the more
improved state of the buililers of these ancient
mounds; and if we suppose, which is very
probable, that the same race which Imilt the an-
cient works at Aztalan, also erected these
mounds, we must suppose that their masonry
would have been greatly in advance of an> thing
yet discovered of the kind; and further, the de-
cay of the work at Aztalan, shows conclusively
that their antiquity is such that human bones
would have long since mouldered back to their
mother dust; for, if burnt bricks have so de-
cayed as to render them scarcely distinguisha-
ble from the earth with which they are inter-
mixed, most certainly bones would have long
since entirely disa})peared; and this fact, to-
gether with the known fact, that the recent In-
dian inhabitants of the country were in the
habit of interring their dead in these mounds,
and in the mode and manner in which bones
have been found, shows conclusively to my
mind, tliat the bones thus discovered are of
more recent burial than that of the builders
of these tumuli.
And further, and in confirmation of this con-
clusion, the fact that metallic substances have
been found in these tumuli, which could not
have been known to the natives previous to the
discovery of the country by the whites, shows
that the skeletons found with such substances
must have been interred since the whites came
to the country, which does not agree well with
the antiquity of trees 400 years old, so fre-
quently found on these mounds.
The mounds found in the county of Craw-
ford, are of various forms and sizes. On
Prairie du Chien, on(! of the largest and high-
est of these tumuli, having a base of some 200
feet and about twenty feet high, of a circular
form, was leveled for the present site of Fort
Crawford. Another, of about the same dimen-
sions and form, stood within the old or first
fort built at this place by the Americans, on
which now stands the splendid mansion of II.
L. Dousman, Esq. A cellar, well, and ice-
house vault, were dug in this last, and a well
dug where t^ie first stood, but in neither were any
evidences found of the design of their erection;
nothing was found but bones, rifles, etc., of re-
cent interment.
The circular form is the most common for
these tumuli, but many are of different forms.
Some are from one to two hundred yards long,
from ten to twenty feet wide, and from two to
three feet high. These frequently have an
90
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
open space througb them, as if intended for a
gate, and they would have the appearance of
breast works if they had angles, or a rear pro-
tection, as of a fort.
Others, especially on the dividing ridge be-
tween the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers, in
towns 8 and 9 north, of range 5 west, are in the
form of birds with their wings and tails spread
and of deer, rabbits and other animals, and one
which I have seen resembles an elephant. The
birds lie spread out on the ground,while the other
animals lie on their sides, with limbs stretched
as if on the jump. In this region, also, some
few mounds resemble a man lying on his face.
These mounds are from three to four feet high,
at the highest points, tapering off to the ex-
tremities, corresponding with what they were
intended to represent.
On the margins of these two rivers, on the
beach lands and the highest peaks of the bluffs,
these tumuli are very numerous,and can often be
seen from the boats passing on the river. In-
deed there is no point yet discovered of any
great extent, in the country, which is not hon-
ored, to a greater or less extent, with these
marks of ancient settlement, corresponding
with the descriptions above given, and varying
inform and size; some being not over ten
feet on the base and two feet high, circular in
form, while others, as above stated, have a
base of '200 feet, and twenty feet elevation,
and others are in forms of animals which
generally are 100 feet long. And it is
believed that at least 1,000 of them can be
found in the county, which is, however, geo-
graphically large. But in no case that has
come to my knowledge, in thirteen years resi-
dence, have bones, or other matter than earth,
been found in them, except with evidence of
recent Indian interment.
One rather singular circumstance is observable
in the construction of some of the mounds on
Prairie du Chien, and especially those near
the fine dwelling of B. W. Brisbois, Esq.
They stand on the margin of the Mississippi,
on the extreme west of the prairie, and about
one and a half miles from the bluffs. The soil
on the prairie is river sand intermixed with
vegetable mould. But these tumuli are of a
different soil, a loam, the like of which has not
yet been discovered within several miles of its
present location; so that, to appearance, the
earth of which these mounds are I'omposed
must have been brought from a considerable
distance.
It is also a singular feature of all the mounds
and fortifications I have examined in the west —
and they are quite numerous — that there is no
appearance that the earth of which they are
composed was dug up from the side of them
or even near by them. The surface of the sur-
rounding soil generally comes up to the base of
the mound on a smooth level. In some in-
stances the mound stands on a natural ele-
vation, showing that the entire mass of which
it is composed was carried from below, up to
the place of deposit.
One such mound, which stands in a group of
them, on the southwest angle of Prairie du
Chien, has a base of some fifty feet, and is
about ten feet high; but being on a natural
elevation, it has the appearance, a short dis-
tance from it, of being twenty feet high; yet
there is no evidence that the earth of which
this mound is composed, though of the common
soil of the prairie, was taken from the neigh-
borhood of its present location. From the top
of this mound can be seen to advantage the ex-
tensive low bottom lands and lakes which lie
between the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers,
and were it not for the timber on the margin
of the two rivers, their flowing currents could
also be seen for some distance. This circum-
stance induces the belief that it was built for a
kind of watch-tower or looking-out place, to
watch the approach of enemies. But the hand
of civilization, the plow, the hoe, and the
spade, are fast demolishing these monuments
of antiquity. When they fall within an enclos-
ure, and the plow breaks the sod, the action of
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
91
the water in time of rain, and of the wind in
time of draught, together with continued culti-
vation, contribute to level them rapidly with
the surrounding earth; and but a few years
will elapse before they will be lost in the ob-
livion of their builders, and will be forgotten,
except as their memory will be preserved by
the hand of intelligence on the page of the
historian.
In reflecting upon the destinj' of this people
— a people once so numerous and intelligent as
those must have been, who laid up with skill
and care, these evidences of their existence,
taste and mental improvement — we can hardly
avoid feelings of melancholy. It amounts to
annihilation, so far as this world is concerned.
We have no trace as to a ho they were, w'here
from, or where they are gone; we only know-
that thev lived and are dead.
If tliey reflected as we do on tiie future and
contemplated that in a few centuries nothing
but these mounds would be left of their whole
race, that not a man, not a name, not a song,
nor even a tradition of them would be left on
earth, their feelings mii-^t have been gloomy in
the extreme. The idea of annihilation issaid to
be even more painful than thoughts of a misera-
ble existence. IJut vk turn from such melancholy
reflections with hopes blooming with immor-
tality. The nKMital and moral culture which
we enjoy with the blessings of the j)en and the
press, inspire in ;is the pleasing reflection that
though .lur individual names may not be noted
centuries to come, yet our race will be known
on the page of history, and our institutions and
the monuments we leave behind of our intelli-
gence and wisdom, which we trust will continue
to improve our race as they descend the stream
of time, will bless the world, and we shall not
have lived in vain. One object, and tiie great
object of this asssociation is to preserve from
oblivion those scraps of history which are fast
passing into forgetfulness, and by embodying
them into a history, transmit to posterity not
only our name, as a people, but also such facts.
snatched from the destructive hand of time, as
will cast some light, the best we have, on the
past history of the State; and though we have
not omniscience and cannot solve the historic
problems of the past to our entire satisfaction,
yet we can do much for the infoimation of
ourselves and of our fellow-men, and thus dis-
charge a debt we owe to others for the benefits
we have derived from histories of other
countries and other times.
ANCIENT EARTHWORKS IN THE BASIN OF THE
VFISCONSIN.
[From Lapbam's "Antiquities of Wisconsin."]
The Wisconsin river is the largest stream
within the State, having its source on the
boundary line between Wisconsin and
Michigan, in a small sheet of water known as
"Lac Vieux Desert," and running into the
Mississippi at Prairie du Chien. Its general
course is nearly south as far as the Winnebago
portage, where it almost unites with the Nee-
nah. At this point it is suddenly deflected to-
wards the southwest and west. Its length
cannot be less than 400 miles, and it has an
aggregate descent of about 900 feet, or two and
a quarter feet per mile. It drains an area of
about 1,100 square miles. The valley of this
fine stream, from Winnebago portage to its
juiu^tion with the Mississippi, may be deemed the
great central seat of ]io])ulation at the time of
the erection of the animal-sluiped earthworks;
at least we must so infer from their comparative
abundance and im|)orlance along that valley.
The first published notice of the mounds in
the valley of the Wisconsin, is in the narrative
of Long's Second Expedition, in 1823. It is
here stated that "one of the block-houses of
the fort (at Prairie du Chien) is situated on a
large mound, which ai)pears to be artificial. It
w:is excavated; but we have not heard that any
bones or other remains were found in it."
Mr. Alfred IJrunson, in a paper on the "An-
cient Mounds of Crawford county, Wisconsin," .
read before the State Historical Society, re-
marks that another similar one formerly ex-
92
HISTOKY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
isted on the prairie, now removed; but no evi-
dences of the design of their erection were
found — nothing was observed but bones,
rifles, etc., of recent interment.
"One mound, standing in a group at the
southwest angle of this prairie, has a base of
some fifty feet, and is about ten feet high, on
an eminence of about the same elevation
From lis top can be seen to advantage the ex-
tensive low bottom lands which lie between the
Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers; and were it
not for the timber on the margin of the two
rivers, their flowing currents could also be
seen for some distance. Tliis circumstance
induces the belief that it was built for a kind
of watch-tower, or look-out place, to watch the
approach of enemies."
Trace of mounds were discovered by me (in
1852) along the whole e.Ytent of the prairie,
apparently similar to others found in the vi-
cinity; but fr^m cultivation, and the light
sandy nature of the materials, they are now
almost entirely obliterated. Tlie large round
tumuli, situated along the island between the
"slough" and the main channel of the Missis-
sippi, are so near the level of the river that their
bases are often washed by the floods. In 1S26,
at the highest known floods, (it being eight
feet higher than the high water of 1832, and
about twenty-six feet above the lowest stage,)
the mounds were all that could be seen of this
island above the water. These were doubtless
for burial, and of less age than the more elab-
orate works in the interior of the country.
Below the town and fort, towards the month
of the Wisconsin, are similar tumuli, equally
subject to overflow ; and on the high bluffs
south of that river are some look-out stations or
mounds.
Advantage is taken of these elevations for the
foundations of the better class of dwelling
houses, above the reach of high water ; being,
. perhaps, the only instance in which the ancient
works are rendered useful to the present inhab-
itants. In general it is deemed necessary to
remove them, as incumbrances, rather than to
preserve them as matters of convenience.
Some traces of a ditch and embankments ob-
served on the island, evidently of a military
character, proved, on inquiry, to be the remains
of the original American fort that was taken
by the British in the War of 1812.
It is quite clear that this interesting place
has been a favorite one with all the different
tribes or races of inhabitants, from the days of
the first mound builders to the present time ;
and the construction of a railroad (soon to be
completed) connecting this point with Lake
Michigan, at Milwaukee, will doubtless render
it one of the greatest importance.
Proceeding up the Wisconsin, the first local-
ity requiring notice is called by the French the
Petit Caj) (ui Gres ; wliich was visited by
Messrs. Keating, Say and Seymour, of Long's
exploring party, and of which the following
account is given : "They found the bluff which
borders on the Wisconsin, about four miles
above its mouth, covered with mounds, para-
pets, etc. ; but no plan or system could be ob-
served among them, neither could they trace
any such thing as a regular inclosure. Among
tliese works they saw an embankment about
eighty-five yards long, divided towards its mid-
dle by a sort of gateway about four yards wide.
This parapet was elevated from three to four
feet ; it stood very near to the edge of the
bluff, as did also almost all the other embank-
ments which they saw. No connection what-
ever was observed between the parapets and
the mounds, except in one case, where a parapet
was cut off by a sort of gateway and a mound
placed in front of it. In one instance the
works, or parapet, seemed to form a cross, of
which three parts could be distinctly traced ;
but these were short ; this was upon a project-
ing point of the highland. The mounds which
the party observed were (Scattered without any
apparent symmetry over the whole of the ridge
of highland which borders upon the river.
They were very numerous, and generally from
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
93
six to eight feet high, and from eight to twelve
in diameter. In one case a number of them,
amounting perhaps to twelve or fifteen, were
seen all arranged in one line, t arallel to the
edge of the bluff, but at some distance from it.
Mr. Brunson, in a paper read before the Min-
isterial Association of the Methodist Church,
held at Viroqua, Sept. 7, 1858, says :
"History is among the most pleasing and en-
tertaining of human studies. By itwe converse
and become familiar wiih men and things of
ages long in the past, and live, as it were, from
the beginning of time to the present hour; but
we cannot extend our researches into the future.
History relates to the past. Prophecy to the
future.
"History embraces the biography of men and
Nations; their ups and downs, rise and fall,
detailing the incidents which have been, the
changes which liave occurred, the improvements
which have been made, and when known, the
reasons therefor, which is the ^^A/teo^Ay of
history.
"There are, however, many things of interest
on the face of the earth of which we have no
history, for the reason that none has reached
us, if any was ever written; of such we can only
draw inferences of their causes from the effects
which lie before us. Such is the case in refer-
ence to the ancient tumuli which abound to an
unknown extent in the western Slates, but in
none of them more numerously than in oui- own.
'■'riieir forms, and the materials of which
they are made, clearly indicate tlie work of
liuman liands, and intelligence and design on
the part of the builders. The forts and fortifi-
cations indicate the existence of wars among
tliem, and that the combatants had more or less
knowledge of military Mcicnce. In some of
them the existence of st)mething like brick or
pottery indicates some advances in the arts of
civilization, much more so than anything found
among the aborigines which the Anglo-Saxon
race found in the country. But the present
race of Indians have no traditions of the people
who made these mounds, nor of the design for
which they were built.
"The age in which these builders lived, or
the distance of time from the present, is inferred
from the age of trees found growing in the
mounds, some of which, from their annual
rings, are supposed to be 400 years old. But
who were the builders, whence they came,
whither they went, or by what means they be-
came extinct, lies in the impenetrable darkness
of the past, and is not likely to be known in
time. But there is an interest excited in the
mind on seeing these ancient works, a written
history of which would highly gratify, if it
were authentic, or believed so to be. This
interest in us shows the duty to the future, to
record what we know of the past or present, for
its edification, as we would that others should
have done unto us, even so we should do to
those who are to follow us.
"As the matter relative to these mounds now
stands, conjecture alone can answer the inquiries
of the antiquarian, which in most cases is as un-
satisfactory as the total darkness in which the
history of those times is now enveloped. Some
have thought that these mounds were thrown
up as monuments over the distinguished dead,
and have inferred this from the fact that in
some of them relics have been found. But as
the most and the largest of them, on examina-
tion, are found to contain no such remains, the
inference is not well founded.
"That human bones and Lulian relics have
been found in some of them of late years is no
[iroof that they were erected for places of in-
terment; for since the whites have been in the
country, our modern Indians have been in the
habit, more or less, of i)uryini; their dead in
them, and frequently guns, axes, kettles, etc.,
have been found with the bones — and some-
times without them — which shows that the in-
terment took place since the whites came to the
continent, and the fact that such metallic sub-
stances have been found without the bones,
shows that if men were buried there at first,
94
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
their bones could not have continuetl in a state
of preservation until this time.
"It is worthy of remark that while in Ohio
the most pi'ominent of these tumuli were forts
or fortifications in Wisconsin, but few of that
description are found. I can now call to mind
but one such, that at Aztalan, and in traveling
extensively in the State for twenty-two years, I
have noticed but few of these mounds south of
a line drawn east from the mouth of the Wis-
consin river to the lake, while north of this line
and between the Wisconsin and Mississippi
rivers there are probably 1,000 of them. In
Crawford county alone there are at least 500,
100 of which can be found in the towns of
Prairie du Chien and Wauzeka.
"The evidences of ancient mining found in
the Lake Superior copper region, with trees on
them of 400 years' growth or more, indicating
some degree of intelligence and skill, makes it
probable that those mines were wrought by the
same race of people who made the mounds, and
at about the same time; and yet, there being no
copper relics found in these mounds, makes it
probable that either they had no commerce
with each other, or that they were few in num-
ber and emigrated from place to place, to
avoid their pursuing enemies, and that those
mines were their last retreat, from which they
disappeared from this country, either by emi-
gration or by being destroyed. The latier, I
think, is the most probable."
OF THE INDIANS.
The earliest record we have of the occupa-
tion of Crawford county and contiguous ter-
ritory, by the Indians, is that given on the map
of Samuel Champlain, dated in lo32. It is
there seen that reports had reached the ears of
the French upon the waters of the St. Lawrence,
of a great river to the westward of Lake Huron
and to the southward of Lake Superior, but
which it was said flowed north into the lake
last mentioned. This was a vague account of
the Mississippi. Upon that river are located
savages, which, probably, were those afterward
known as
THE SIOUX.
Bands of this Nation occupied the whole
country immediately north of the Wisconsin
and adjacent to the Mississippi. It is not
known that they had any village within what
is now Crawford county; but this region was,
probably, their hunting grounds, if they did
not actually occupy it with their wigwams.
It was known to the French, also, before
any white man had ever set foot upon any part
of Wisconsin or the northwest, that these Sioux
were in the habit of going in their canoes to
trade with the Winnebagoes, who were located
at that time (before 1634) around Lake Winne-
bago. Farther than this, no knowledge had
been gained of these savages. Not many
years afterward they must have withdrawn
I farther up the Mississippi, leaving the country
upon and down this river for some distance
from the mouth of the Wisconsin, without
inhabitants. At this time, the nearest savages
eastward, were the Kickapoos, Miamis and
Mascoutins, who were located on Fox river
above Lake Winnebago. Such was the case in
1634, when John Nicolet, the first man to
explore the present State of Wisconsin, reached
that river.
"The first inhabitants of this region," says the
Rev. Alfred IJrunson, "included in the original
county of Crawford, of whom we have any
knowledge, except from ancient tumuli, were
the Dakota or Sioux Indians. The builders of
those tumuli are so far lost in the past, that no
pretence is made to a history of them, except
in the pretended visions of Joe Smith, in his
so called Golden Bible. When the French
missionaries and traders from Canada first
visited the country south of Lake Superior,
east of the Mississippi, and north and west of
the Wisconsin, the Sioux were the lords of the
soil.
"I learned from the Chippewas at La Pointe,
when I was agent for the United States among
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
95
them in 1842-3, tliat previous to their crossing
Lake Superior to settle upon its southern shores,
the Sioux occupied the whole country south of
it, and as far east, at least, as Ke-\ve-wa-non
Bay, then called Che-goi-me-gon; for there, in
1661, it seems they captured and killed the
missionary Rene Mesnard, whose cassock and
breviary were afterwards found among the
Sioux, kept by them as amulets." *
THE SACS AND FOXES
What is now Crawford county and its surround-
ing country remained a derelict region until
finally the Sacs and Foxes from the east came to
Fox river and then moved westward to the
Wisconsin. Of all the tribes who have inhab-
ited this State, they are the most noted. The
Sacs were sometimes called Sauks or Saukies
and the Foxes were frequently known as the
Outagamies. They are of the Algonquin
family, and are first mentioned in 1665, by
Father Allouez, but as separate tribes. After-
ward, however, because of the identity of their
language, and their associations, they were and
still are considered one Nation. In December,
1669, Allouez found upon the shores of Green
bay a village of Sacs, occupied also by members
of otiier tribes, and early in 1670 he visited a
village of llie same Indians located upon the Fox
river of Green bay, at a distance of four leagues
from its mouth. Here a device of these In-
dians for catching fish arrested the attention
of th(^ missionary. " From one side of the
river to the other," he writes, "they made a
barricade, planting great stakes, two fatiioms
from the water, in such a manner that there is,
as it were, a bridge above for the fishes, who by
the aid of a little bow-net, easily take sturgeons
and all other kinds of fish which this pier stops,
alihough the water does not cease to flow be-
tween the stakes." When the Jesuit father first
obtained, five years jirevious, a knowledge of
this tribe, they were repre.-'entcd as savage
above all others, great in numbers, and without
any ]>ennanent dwelling place. The Foxes
• Bancroft's history of the United States, Vol. 3, P. 117.
were of two stocks — one calling themselves
Outagamies or Foxes, whence our English
name ; the other, Wusquakink, or men of red
clay, the name now used by the tribe. They
lived in early times with their kindred the
Sacs east of Detroit, and as some say, near the
St. Lawrence. They were driven west, and
settled at Saginaw, a name derived from the
Sacs. Thence they were forced by the Iro-
quois to Green bay ; but were compelled to
leave that place and settle on Fox river.
Allouez, on the •24tli of April, 1670, arrived
at a village of the Foxes, situated on Wolf
river, a northern tributary of the Fox. "The
Nation," he declares, "is renowned for being
numerous ; they have more than 400 men bear-
ing arms ; the number of women and children
is greater, on account of polygamy which ex-
ists among them- — each man having commonly
four wives, some of them six, and others as high
as ten." The missionary found that the Foxes
had retreated to those parts to escape the perse-
cutions of the Iroquois. Allouez established
among these Indians his Mission of St. Mark,
rejoicing in the fact that in less than two yeais
he had baptized "sixty children and some
adults." The Foxes, at the summons of De la
Barre, in 1684, sent warriors against the Five
Nations. They also took part in Denonville's
more serious campaign ; but soon after became
hostile to the French. As early as 1693, they
iiad plundered several on their way to trade
with the Sioux, alleging that they were carry-
ing arms and ammunitions to their ancient ene-
mies frequently causing them to make port-
ages to the southward in crossing from Lake
Michigan to the Mississi])p). Afterward they
became reconciled to the French ; but the rec-
onciliation was of short duration. In 1712,
Fort Detroit, then defended by only a handful
of men, was attacked by them in Conjui ction
with the Mascoutins and Kickapoos. However,
in the end, by calling in friendly Indians, the
garrison not only protected themselves but
96
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
were enabled to act on the offensive, destroying
the greater part of the besieging force.
The Nation continued their ill will to the
French. The consequence was that their terri-
tory in 1716 had been invaded and they were
reduced to sue for peace. But their friendship
was not of long continuance. In 1718 the Foxes
numbered 500 men and "abounded in women
and children." They are spoken of at that date
as being very industrious, raising large quanti-
ties of Indian corn. In 1728 another expedition
was sent against them by the French. Mean-
while the Menomonees had also become hostile;
so, too, the Sacs, who were now the allies of
the Foxes. The result of the enterprise was,
an attack upon and the defeat of a number of
Monomonees ; the burning of the wigwams of
the Winnebagoes (after passing the deserted
village of the Sacs upon the Fox river), that
tribe, also, at this date being hostile ; and the
destruction of the fields of the Foxes. Tliey
were again attacked in their own country by
the French, in 1730, and defeated. In 1734
both the Sacs and Foxes came in conflict with
the same foe ; but this time the French were
not as successful as on previous expeditions.
In 1730 the Sacs and Foxes were "connected
with the government of Canada ;" but it is
certain they were far from being friendly to
the French.
The conflict between France and Great Brit-
ain, -commencing in 1754, found the Sacs and
Foxes allied with the former power, against the
English, although not long previous to this time
they were the bitter enemies of the Frencli. At
the close of that contest so disastrous to the in-
terests of France in North America, these tribes
readily gave in their adhesion to the conquerors,
asking that English traders might be sent them.
The two Nations, then about equally divided,
numbered, in 1761, about 700 warriors. Neither
of the tribes took part in Pontiac's war, but they
befriended the English. The Sacs had emigrated
farther to the westward; but the Foxes, at :east
a portion of them, still remained upon the wa-
ters of the river of Green bay, which perpet-
uates their name. A few years later, however,
and the former were occupants of the upper
Wisconsin ; also to a considerable distance be-
low the portage, where their chief town was
located. Further down the same stream was
the upper village of the Foxes, while tlieir lower
one was situated near its mouth at the site of
the present city of Prairie du Cliien. At this
date, 1766, and even later,whatis now Crawford
county, was within the territory claimed as
theirs. Gradually, however, they retreated
down the Mississippi until, before the close of
the century all their possessions in what is now
Wisconsin, was in the extreme southwest. They
no longer had their hunting grounds to the
northward of the Wisconsin river. Another
tribe had, as it were, crowded them out.
During the War of the Revolution, the Sacs
and Foxes continued the firm friends of the
English. In 1804 they ceded their lands south
of the Wisconsin river to the United States ;
so that they no longer were owners of any lands
within this State. From that date, therefore,
these allied tribes cannot be considered as be-
longing to the Indian Nations of Wisconsin.
They were generally friendly to Great Britain
during the War of 181V-15, but they soon made
peace with the United States after that contest
ended. A striking episode in their subsequent
history is the Black Hawk War, which will be
narrated in a subsequent chapter. The exact
date of the Foxes leaving the Wisconsin river
country is unknown. They sold the prairie at
the mouth of that stream to some Canadian
French traders, in 1781, and subsequently vaca-
ted their village. Probably about the begin-
ning of the present century they had al)andoned
this region as their home, although they long
after visited it for the purposes of trade.
WHY THE FOX INDIANS LEFT THE LOWER WIS-
CONSIN.
[By Jonathan Carver.]
On the 8th of October, (1766), we got our
canoes into the Ouisconsin river, which at this
place is more than a hundred yards wide and
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
97
the next day arrived at the great town of the
Saukies. This is the largest and best built
Indian town I ever saw. It contains about
ninety houses, each large enough for several
families. These are built of hewn plank, neatly
jointed and covered with bark, so compactly
as to keep out the most penetrating rains. Be-
fore the doors are placed comfortable sheds, in
which the inhabitants sit, when the weather
will permit, and smoke their pipes. The streets
are regular and spacious, so that it appears more
like a civilized town than the abode of savages.
The land near the town is very good. On their
plantations, which lie adjacent to their houses,
and which are neatly laid out, they raise quan-
tities of Indian corn, beans, melons, etc., so
that this place is esteemed the best market for
traders to furnish themselves with provisions
of any within 800 miles of it.
The ?aukies can raise about 300 warriors, who
are generally emjiloyf d every summer in mak-
ing excursions into the territories of the Illi-
nois and Pawnee Nations, from whence they
return with a great number of slaves. But
those people frequently retaliate, and, in their
turn, destroy many of the Saukies, which I
judge to be the reason why they increase no
faster.
Whilst 1 stayed here I took a view of some
mountains, (Blue Mounds), that lay about fifteen
miles to the southward, and al>ounded in lead
ore. I ascended one of the highest of these,
and li:id an extensive view of the country. For
nianv miles nothing was to be seen but lesser
mountains, which appeared at a distance like
liaycocks, they being free from trees. Only a
few groves of hickory and stunted oaks, covered
some of the valleys.
So plentiful is lead here that I saw large
quantities of it lying about the streets in the
town belonging to the Saukies, and it seemed to
be as good as the produce of other countries.
On the 10th of October we proceeded down
the river, and the next day reached the first
town of the Outagaraies, This town contained
about fifty houses, but we found most of them
deserted, on account of an epidemical disorder
that had lately raged among them, and carried
off more than one half of the inhabitants. -The
greater part of those who survived had retired
into the woods to avoid the contagion.
On the 15th we entered that extensive river,
the Mississippi. The Otnsconsin, from the car-
rying place to the part where it falls into the
Mississippi, flows with a smooth but strong cur-
rent ; the water of it is exceedingly clear, and
through it you may perceive a fine and sandy
bottom, tolerably free from rocks. In it are a
few islands, the soil of which appeared to be
good, though somewhat woodj. The land near
the river also seemed to be, in general, excel-
lent; but that at a distance is very fidl of moun-
tains, where, it is said, there are many lead
mines.
About five miles from the junction of the
rivers I observed the ruins of a large town, in
a very pleasing situation. On in(juiring of the
neighboring Indians why it was thus deserted, I
was informed that, about thirty years ago, the
Great Spirit appeared on the top of a pyramid
of rocks, which lay at a little distance from it
toward the west, and warned them to quit their
habitations ; for the land on which they were
built belonged to liim, and be had occasion
for it. As a proof that he, who gave them these
orders, was really the Great Spirit, he further
told them that the grass should immediately
spring up on those very rocks from whence he
now addressed them, which they knew to be
bare and banen. The Indians obeyed, and soon
after discovered that this miraculous alteration
had taken place, 'l^hey showed me the sj)0t,
but the growth of the grass appeared to be no
ways supernatural. I apprehended this to have
been a stratagem of the French or S])aniards to
answer some selfish view ; but in what manner
they effected their pur])ose I know not. This
people, soon after their removal, built a town
on the bank of the Mi88i8sip])i, ne.ir the mouth
of the Ouisconsin, at a place called by the
98
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
French Les Prairies les Chiens, which signifies
the Dog Plains ; it is a large town and contains
about 300 families ; the houses are well built,
after the Indian manner, and pleasantly situated
on a very rich soil, from which they raise every
necessary of life in great abundance. I saw here
many horses of a good size and shape. This
town is a great mart, where all the adjacent
tribes, and even those who inhabit the most re-
mote branches of the Mississippi, annually as-
semble about the latter end of May, bringing
with them their furs to dispose of to the traders.
But it is not always that they conclude their
sale here ; this is determined by a general coun-
cil of the chiefs, who consult whether it would
be more conducive to their interests to sell their
goods at this place, or carry them on to Louisi-
ana or Michiilimackinac ; according to the de-
cision of this council, they either proceed far-
ther or return to their different homes.
The Mississippi, at the entrance of the Ouis-
consin, near which stands a mountain of con-
siderable height, is about half a mile over ; but
opposite to the last mentioned town, it appears
to be more than a mile wide and full ot
islands, the soil of which is extraordinarily rich
and but thinly wooded.
CO.VCERNING THE FOX INDIANS.
[By Schoolcraft, 1820.]
The first we hear of these people (the Foxes)
is from early missionaries of New France, who
call them, in a list drawn up for the govern-
ment in 1V36, "Gens du Sang" and Miskaukis.
The latter I found to be the name they apply to
themselves. We get nothing, however, by it.
It means red earth, being a compound from
■ni'isk-icau, red, and cmkie, earth. They are a
branch of the great Algonquin family. The
French, who formed a bad opinion of them
as their history opened, bestowed on them the
name of Renouard, from which we derive their
long standing popular name. Their traditions
attribute their origin to eastern portions of
America. Mr. Gates, who acted as my inter-
preter and is well acquainted with their lan-
guages and customs, informs me that their tradi-
tions refer to their residence on the north banks
of the St. Lawrence, near the ancient cataraqui.
They appear to have been a very erratic,
spirited, warlike and treacherous tribe, dwelling
but a short time at a spot, and pushing west-
ward as their affairs led them, till they finally
reached the Mississippi, which they must have
crossed after 1766, for Carver found them liv-
ing in villages on the Wisconsin. At Saginaw
they appeared to have formed a fast alliance
with the Sauks, a tribe to whom they are closely
allied by language and history. They figure in
the history of Indian events about old Michili-
mackinac, where they played pranks under the
not very definite title of Muscodainsug, but are
first conspicuously noted while they dwelt on
the river bearing their name, which falls into
Green bay, Wisconsin.* The Chippewas, with
whom they have strong affinity of language,
call them Outagamie, and ever deemed them a
sanguinary and unreliable tribe. The French
defeated them in a sanguinary battle at Butte
de Mort, and by this defeat drove them from
Fox River.
Their present numbers cannot be accurately
given. I was informed that the village I visited
contained 250 souls. They have a large village
at Rock Island, where the Foxes and Sauks
live together, which consistsof sixty lodges, and
numbers 300 souls. One-half of these may be
Sauks. 'I'hey have another village at the mouth
of Turkey river ; altogether they may muster
from 460 to 500 souls. \ et, they are at war
with most of the tribes around them, except
the lowas, Sauks and Kickapoos. They are en-
gaged in a deadly and apparently successful
war against the Sioux tribes. They recently
killed nine men of that Na-tion, on the Terre
Blue river, and a party of twenty men are now
absent, in the same direction, under a half-breed
named Morgan. They are on bad terms with
the Osages and Pawnees, of the Missouri, and
*Thi8 name was first applied to a territory in 1836.
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
09
not on the best terms with their neighbors, the
Winnebagoes.
I again embarked at 4 o'clock a. m. (sUi). My
men were stout fellows, and worked witli hearty
will, and it was thought possilile to reach the
prairie during the day by hard and late push-
ing We passed Turkey river at 2 o'clock, and
they boldly plied their paddles, sometimes ani-
mating their labors with a song; but the
Mississippi proved too stout for us, and some-
time after night-fall we put ashore on an
island, before reaching the Wisconsin.
In ascending the river this day, I observed the
pelican, which exhibited itself in a flock stand-
ing on a low sandy spot of an island This
bird has a clumsy and unwieldy look, from the
du)ilicate membrane attached to its lower
niandible, which is constructed so as when
inflated to give it a bag-like appearance. A
shoit sleep served to restore the men, and we
were again in our canoes the next morning
(9th) before I could certainly tell tlie time by
my watch. I'ayligiit had not yet broke when
we passeil the influx of the Wisconsin, and we
reached the prairie under a full chorus and
landed at 6 o'clock.
INDIAN CON'FLICTS WITHIN THE COUNTY.
The various tribes, in visiting the "])rairi(',"
or in passing up and down the Mississippi,
sometimes came in deadly conflict within the
present limits of this county, since the first set-
tlement iiere by white men — the result, in many
case-*, of ancient hostilities existing between
them. Two writers have well described some
of tliese conflicts, and their accounts arc ap-
pended.
WAR BKTWEE.V TUE SACS AND FOXES AND THE
SIOUX.
[I.— ny Mrs H. S. Baird, or Green Day]
During tlie first lialf of the present century,
there existed between diflFcrcnt Indian tribes of
the north and west, a succession of sanguinary
wars. The conflicts between the contending
partie^ were marked by the characteristic traits
of cruelty and ferocity of a barbarous race.
The tribes engaged in these hostilities were the
Sioux, Chippe" as, Sacs, Foxes and Winneba-
goes. Their battles were not always fought in
their own country, nor on t' eir own lands.
Whenever and wherever a hostile ]iarly met, a
contest was sure to be the result; and many
incidents connected with this warfare were
observed by the early settlers of Wisconsin, one
of which I witnessed, and will relate.
In the month of May, 1830, with my family,
F visited Prairie dii Chien, on the Mississippi;
we were guests of the late Joseph Rolette,
then a trader, and agent of the American Fur
Company. One evening, a few days after our
arrival, we were startled by hearing the con-
tinual and successive reports of fire-arras, ap-
parently on the Mississippi below. The firing
continued for an hour or more, and was suc-
ceeded by sounds of Indian drums and savage
j'ells, with an occasional discharge of guns.
The family having retired at the usual time,
were aroused from their slumbers about mid-
night by hearing foot-steps on the piazza, con-
versation in the Indian language, and finally by
knocking on the door and window shutters.
Mr. Rolette immediately arose and went out to
ascertain the cause of the disturbance, when he
was informed that a l)loody battle had been
fought, and the visitors were the victors, and
had called up their trader to inform him of
their victory, and to obtain the necessary spirit
water to celebrate the glorious event in regular
savage style. Their wants were supplied, of
course, when tliey took their leave, but not to
sleep; neither could we sleep, as the warriors
kept up through the night a most horrible pow-
wow, enlivened by savage yells, all plainly
within our hearing.
In the morning we heard the particulars of
the savage fight, and during the day witnessed
one of the most disgusting and revolting exhi-
bitions that human beings could display.
On the day before the battle, or rather mas-
sacre, a war party of some twenty or twenty-
five Sioux encamped on an island opposite
100
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
Praii-ie du Chien. They were there joined by
a few Menomonees, who volunteered to assist
their friends, the Sioux. It appears that the
latter had previously received information that
on that day a party of Sacs and Foxes, their
inveterate enemies, would leave their village,
situated on the Mississippi, some distance below
Prairie du Chien, intending to visit the latter
place ; and that they would encamp for the
night at a regular camping ground, near the
mouth of the Wisconsin river.
In the afternoon of that day, the Sioux war
party embarked in several canoes, and descend-
ed the river. Arriving near the spot where
they knew their intended victims would en-
camp, they drew their canoes on land, and care-
fully hid them in the thick woods, and then
selected a spot covered with a dense growth of
bushes, and within a short gun-shot of the
landing place on the camping ground. Here,
with true Indian cunning, they lay in ambush,
awaiting the arrival of the unsuspecting Sacs
and Foxes. No fire was made, and the still-
ness of death reigned in the forest. Nor had
they long to wait for the arrival of their foes.
Between sunset and dark, the party, in three
or four canoes, arrived at the fatal landing
place, and dis-embarked. It consisted of
eighteen persons, one old chief, one squaw, one
boy about fourteen years old and fifteen
warriors. Upon landing, the party commenced
unloading the canoes. The concealed war
party remained perfectly quiet, scarcely breath-
ing, so that their victims might be completely
surprised. After all had landed, and while
carrying their effects on shore, leaving their
guns and war-clubs in the canoes, the party in
ambush bounded to their feet, with a horrible
yell, and fired a murderous volley at the sur-
prised party, by which all fell except one man
and the boy. The former reached a canoe,
seized a loaded gun, and discharged it, mortally
wounding one of the Sioux ; but the poor Sac
was soon despatched, and the only one of the
eighteen who survived was the boy, who hap-
pened to be in a canoe. He seized a paddle,
pushed into the stream, and made his escape
down the swift current of the river.
After the massacre, all who yet breathed
were despatched, and horribly mutilated.
Hands, feet, fingers, ears and scalps were out
off, and more horrible still, the heart of the
aged chief was cut from his breast, and all
taken by the victors as trophies of the bloody
conflict.
On the day succeeding the murder, the victo-
rious party assembled, and accompanied by a
few squaws, paraded the streets of Prairie du
Chien, with the monotonous sounding drum
•and rattle, and displaying on poles the scalps
and dismembered human fragments taken from
the bodies of their victims. The whole party
was painted with various colors, wore feathers,
and carried their tomahawks, war-clubs and
scalping-knives. Stopping in front of the
principal houses in the village, they danced the
war-dance and scalp-dance, ending with yells
characteristic of incarnate devils.
The mangled limbs were still fresh and bleed-
ing; one old squaw had carried on a pole the
entire hand, with a long strip of skin from the
arm of one of the murdered men, elevated above
her head, the blood trickling down upon her
hair and face, while she kept up the death-song,
and joined in the scalp-dance. After this exhi-
bition, which lasted two or three hours, the
warriors went to a small mound, about 200 yards
from Mr. Rolette's residence, and in plain sight
made a fire and roasted the heart of the old
murdered chief, and then divided it into small
pieces among the several warriors, who devoured
it, to inspire them wi'h courage, and "make
their hearts glad."
The whole scene was shocking and disgust-
ing in the extreme, and such a one, we hope,
never again will be witnessed in a civilized
community.
The incidents just related occurred in a town
containing a civilized (?) population of 600 or
800 inhabitants, under the walls of the U. S.
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
101
garrison, and within musket shot of the fort.
Neitlier civil nor military authorities made any
effort to prevent the exhibition of the revolting
and savage trophies of the sanguinary battle.
In the afternoon, the party of Sioux warriors
enibarkeil in their canoes and ascended the Mis-
sissippi, on their return to their own village,
leaving on the minds and memories of those
who witnessed these horrible and frantic orgies
recollections not soon to be forgotten.
11.— By James H. Lockwood.
In 1830 a party of Sauks and Foxes killed
some Sioux, on or about the head-waters of Red
Cedar river, in the now State of Iowa; and the
same season a band of Fox Indians, who resided
about where Dubuque now is, had occasion to
visit Prairie du Chien on business with the
agent, whom they had previously informed that
tliey would arrive on a certain day.' An Indian
called the Kettle was their chief. It was gener-
ally believed that John Marsh gave the Sioux
information of the coming of the Foxes, and of
the lime they were expected; and on the morn-
ing of the day appointed for the arrival of ihe
Foxes at Prairie du Chien, :i small war p:nty of
young Sioux made their appearance here, and
joined by a few of the Menoinonee young men,
proceeded down the Mississijipi to the lower
end of liie Prairie du Pierreaux, some twelve or
tilleen miles below Prairie du Chien, where a
narrow ciiannel of the Mississippi runs close to
that end of the prairie, fringed with small trees,
bushes and grass. They knew the custom of
the Indians in going up stream to avail them-
selves of all such side channels, as there was
less current in them than in the broad river;
and secreting themselves among the bushes,
trees and grass, awaited their unsuspecting vic-
tims. When the Foxes came within point
blank shot, they all fired upon them, killing
their chief Kettle and several others. The
Foxes finding their chief killed, returned down
the river to carry the news of their misfortunes
to the tribe, while the Sioux and Menomonees
returned home with the tidings of their victory
and to dance over it. They passed through
Prairie du Chien, and remained a short time
here, but for some unaccountable reason, no no-
tice whatever was taken of it.
The signs of several war parties of the Foxes
were reported to have been seen on the opposite
side of the river during the year; but they ef-
fected nothing until sometime, I think, in June,
1831, when a considerable number of Menomo-
nees had collected at Prairie du Chien, and en-
camped on an island near the eastern shore of
'the Mississippi, about one-fourth of a mile from
the old Fort Crawford. They had obtained
whisky enough for all to get socially drunk up-
on — and it is rare to find a Menomonee who will
not get drunk when he has a chance — and they
had carried their revels far into the night, until
men, women and children were beastly drunk.
About two hours before day, a Fox war party,
that had been watching their movements, fell
upon them in that helpless state and killed
about thirty of them. By this time some of the
more sober of them were aroused, and com-
menced firing upon the Foxes; who fled down
the river, pursued a short distance by the Me-
nomonees.
Thomas P. Burnett, the sub-Indian agent,
was sleeping with me in my store. It being veiy
warm weather, we had made a bed of blankets
on the counter, when about two hours before
daylight, we were awakened l)y the cries of a
Menomonee woman at the store door. We let
her in, when she told us of the disaster to the
Menomonees. Mr. Burnett took my horse and
went to inform Gen. Street, the Indian agent,
who lived about four miles above this, and who
arrived about daylight and gave the first int'or-
mation to the fort. Although liiere had been a
great firing of guns and hallooing among the
Indians, the sentinels had reported nothing of
it to the officers; but on hearing of the affair,
the commandant immediately dispatched a com-
pany of men in boats after the Foxes, but they
did not overtake them. The government de-
manded of the Sauks to deliver up tht perpe-
V
102
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
trators of this deed. The Foxes fled to the
Sauks, and their chief, Kettle, being dead, they
remained among and amalgamated with them,
and have not since continued a separate Nation
or tribe. I have always believed this to be the
origin of the Black Hawk War. There were, I
suppose, other causes of discontent, but I believe
that this transaction was the immediate cause
of the movements of Black Hawk.
III. — BY .JOHN H. FONDA.
The same year, 1830, the Fox and Sauk In-
dians killed some Sioux, at the head of Cedar
river, in Iowa. Capt. Dick Mason* started
with a number of troops for the scene of dis-
turbance, and I went along as guide. We ar-
rived at the place of the fight, found every-
thing quiet and all we did was to turn about
and go back the way we came.
Soon after, the Sioux and a number of Monom-
onees attacked a party of Sauks and Foxes at Prai
du Pierreaux and killed some ten Indians,
among whom was Kettle, the great Fox chief, f
The Sauks and Foxes were coming up to a
treaty unarmed, and the Sioux, made aware of
this through their runners, got the Monomonees
and laid in ambush on the east shore. The un
suspecting Foxes were fired into from the am-
buscade and their best warriors lost their
scalps.
After the fight the Monomonees and Sioux
came up here to have a dance over the scalps.
The Indians presented a horrid appearance.
They were painted for war and had smeared
themselves with blood and carried the fresh
scalps on poles. Some had cut off a head and
thrust a stick in the throttle and held it on high;
some carried a hand, arm, leg or some other
portion of a body, as trophies of their success.
They commenced to dance near the mound over
the slough, but Col. Taylor soon stopped that
* Hichard B. Mason, a native of Virginia, was a 1st lieu-
tenant in 1817, captain in 1819; served in the Ulack Hawlf
War; major of drag:oons in 183J?, lieutenant-colonel in 1H3H
and colonel in 1846. He commanded the forces in California
and was e-x-othcio governor 1847-48; brevetted briM'fldier-gen-
eral and died at Jefferson Barracks. Mo., July !I5, 1850.
+ This was in 1830.
by driving them across the main channel on to
the islands, where they danced until their own
scalps went to grace the wigwams of the Sauks
and Foxes.
In April of 1831, I was in the hospital at
Fort Crawford, when, through the influence of
Col. Taylor and Dr. Beaumont, I got my dis-
charge. When I was convalescent, which
was about June, a war party of Sauk and Fox
Indians came up from their part of the country
to the bluff north of Bloody Run, from where
they watched the Monomonees, who were en-
camped on an island opposite Prairie du Chien,
a little north of the old fort. One night the
Monomonee camp was surprised by the Fox and
Sauk war party, and all in the camp killed ex-
cept an Indian boy, who picked up a gun and
shot a Fox brave through the heart and escaped.
After massacreing, scalping and mutilating the
bodies, the Fox Indians got into canoes and
paddled down the river past the fort, singing
their war song and boasting of their exploits-
Soldiers were sent to punish them, but I believe
they failed to catch them. In the morning I
helped to bury those killed. There were
twenty-seven bodies, all killed with the knife
and tomahawk, except the Fox brave shot by
the boy. They were buried in three graves on
the landing below the present Fort Crawford,
and until within a f^w years the spot was
marked by a small muslin flag kept standing by
the few Monomonees who lingered in this vicin-
ity; but nothing is now left 'to preserve the graves
from sacrilege, and soon the iron horse will
course o'er the bones of those red men,
long since gone to their happy hunting grounds.
After the Monomonee massacre, a warrior of
that tribe was found in the old Catholic grave-
yard and buried. He had no wounds and it is
thought that when the Foxes attacked the Indi-
ans on the island, he got away and ran so fast
that he had to lean against the wall to rest, and
that he rolled over and died.
The Indian agency was removed this year to
Yellow River and the Rev. Mr. Lowrey ap-
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
103
pointed agent. It was afterwards removed to
Fori Atkinson, Iowa. The mission buildings
can be seen now on Yellow river, about five
miles from its mouth.
THE WINNEBAGOKS.
The. Nation which displaced the Sacs and
Foxes upon the Wisconsin river an4 its contig-
uous territory, including what is now Vernon
county, was the VVinnebagoes. It is now 250
years since the civilized world began to get a
knowledge of the Winnebagoes — the "men of
the sea,'' as they were called, pointing, possibly,
to their early emigration from the shores of the
Me,xican gulf, or the Pacific. The territory
now included within the limits of Wisconsin,
and so much of the Stale of Michigan as lies
north of Green bay. Lake Michigan, the Straits
of Mackinaw and Lake Huron were, in early
times, inhabiletl by several tribes of the Algon-
quin race, forming a barrier to the Dakotas, or
Sioux, who had advanced eastward to the Mis-
si8»ii)i)i. lint the Winnebagoes, although one
of liie tribes belonging to tlie family of the
latter, had passed llie great river, at some un-
known period, and settled ujion Winnebago
lake. Here, as early as 1034, they were visited
by Jiihn Xicolet, an agent of France, and a
treaty concluded with them Little more was
luard of the Winnebagoes for the next ihirty-
tive year.s, when, on the 2d of December, 1669,
some of that Nation were seen at a Sac village
on Green bay, by Father Allouez.
As early at least as 1670, the French were ac-
tively engaged among the Winnebagoes trading.
'■We found affairs," says one of the Jesuit mis-
sionaries, wlio arrived among them in September
of that year, "we found affairs there in a
pretty bad poslure, and the mindsof the savages
much soured against the French, who were
there trading; ill treating them in deeds and
words, pillaging and carrying away their mer-
chandise in spite of tliem, and conducting
themselves toward them with insupportable in-
solences and indignities. The cause of this
disorder," adds the missionary, "is that they
had received some bad treatment from the
FrcTich, to whoiii they had this year come to
trade, and particularly from the soldiers, from
whom they pretended to have received many
wrongs and injuries. It is thus made certain
that the arms of France were carried into the
territory of the Winnebagoes over 200 years
ago.
The Fox river of Green bay was found at
that date a difficult stream to navigate. Two
Jesuits who ascended the river in 1670, had
"three or four leagues of rapids to contend
with, when they had advanced one day's
journey from the head of the bay, more diffi-
cult than those which are common in other
rivers, in this, that the flints, over which they
had to walk with naked feet to drag their ca-
noes, were so sharp and so cutting, that one
has all the trouble in the world to hold one's
self steady against the great rushing of the
waters. At the falls they found an idol that
the savages honored; never failing, in pass-
ing, to make him some sacrifice of tobacco, or
arr(;ws, or paintings, or other things, to thank
him tliat, by his assistance, they had, in ascend-
ing, avoided the dangers of the waterfalls
which are in this stream; or else, if they had to
ascend, to pray him to aid them in this perilous
navigation. The missionaries caused the idol
to be lifted up by the strength of the arm,
and cast into the depths of the river, to appear
no more, to the idolatrous savages."
The Winnebagoes, by this time, had not only
received considerable spiritual instruction from
the Jesuit fathers, but had obtained quite an
insight into the mysteries of trading and traffii-
ing with wiiite men; for, following the fool-
steps of the missionaries, and sometimes pre
ceding them, were the ubiquitous French fur
traders. It is impossible to determine precisely
what territory was occupied by the Winneba-
goes at this early date, farther than that they
lived near the head of Green bay.
A direct trade with the F>ench upon the St.
Lawrence was not carried on by the Winneba-
104
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
goes to any great extent until the beginning of the
eighteentli century. As early as 1679, an advance
party of LaSalle had collected a large store of
furs at the mouth of Green bay, doubtless in a
traffic with tliis tribe and others contiguous to
them; generally, however, the sunounding Na-
tions sold their peltries to the Ottawas, who
disposed of them, in turn, to the French. The
commencement of the eighteenth century found
the Winnebagoes firmly in alliance with France,
and in peace with the, dreaded Iroquois. In
171S, the- Nation numbered 600. They had
moved from the Fox river to Green bay. They
were afterward found to have moved up Fox
river, locating upon Winnebago lake, which lake
was their ancient seat, and from which they had
been driven either by fear or the prowess of
more powerful tribes of the west and south-
west. Their intercourse with the French was
gradually extended and generally peaceful,
though not always so, joining with them, as did
the Menominees, in their wars with the Iro-
quois, and subsequently in their conflicts with
the English, which finally ended in 1760.
When the British, in October, 1761, took pos-
session of the French post, at the head of Green
bay, the Winnebagoes were found to number
150 warriors only; their nearest village being
at the lower end of Winnebago lake. Tliey
had in all not less than three towns. Their
country, at this period, included, not only that
lake, but all the streams flawing into it, espe-
cially Fox river; afterward extended to the
Wisconsin and Rock rivers. They readily
changed their course of trade — asking now of
the commandant at the fort for English traders
to be sent among them. In the Indian outbreak
under Pontiac, in 1 763, they joined with the Me-
nomonees and other tribes to befriend the
British garrison at the head of the bay, as-
sisting in conducting them to a place of safety.
They continued their friendship to the Eng-
lish during the revolution, by joining with
them against tlie colonies, and were active in
the Indian war of 1790-4, taking part in the at-
tack on Fort Recovery, upon the Maumee, in
the present State of Ohio, in 1793. They fought
also on the side of the British i:i the War of
1812-15, aiding, in 1814, to reduce Prairie du
Chien. They were then estimated at 4,500.
When, in 1816, the government of the United
States sent troops to take possession of the
Green bay country, by establishing a garrison
there, some trouble was anticipated from these
Indians, who, at that date, had the reputation of
being a bold and warlike tribe. A deputation
from the Nation came down Fox river and re-
monstrated with the American commandant at
what was thought to be an intrusion. They
were desirous of knowing why a fort was to be
established so near them. The reply was that,
although the troops were armed for war if nec-
essary, their purpose was peace. Their response
was an old one: "If your object is peace, you
have too many men; if vvar, you have too few."
However, tlie display of a number of cannon,
which had not yet been mounted, satisfied the
Winnebagoes that the Americans were masters
of the situation and the deputation gave the
garrison no further trouble.
On the 3d of June, 1816, at St. Louis, the
tribe made a treaty of peace and friendship
with the general government; but they con-
tinued to levy tribute on all white people who
passed up Fox river. English annuities also
kept up a bad feeling. At this time a portion
of the tribe was living upon the Wisconsin
river, away from the rest of the Nation, which
was still seated upon the waters flowing into
Green bay. In 1320 they had five villages on
Winnebago lake and fourteen on Rock river.
In 1825 the claim of the Winnebagoes was an
extensive one, so far as territory was concerned.
Its southeast boundary stretched away from the
source of Rock river, to within forty miles of
its mouth, in Illinois, where the}^ had a village.
On the west it extended to the heads of the
small streams flowing into the Mississippi. To
the northward, it reached Black river and the
Upper Wisconsin, in other words, to the Chip-
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
105
pewa territory, including what is now Vernon
county, but did not extend across Fox river,
aliliougli they contended for tlie wliole of Win-
nebago lake. In 1S29 a large part of their ter-
ritory in southwest Wisconsin, lying between
Sugar river and the Mississip])i, and extending
to the Wisconsin river, was sold to the general
govern men t.
Just previous to this lime occurred the Win-
nebago war, an account of which will be found
in the next chapter. In \^3-2, all the residue of
the Winnebago territory south and east of the
Wisconsin and the Fox river of Green bay, was
disposed of to the United States.
Finally, in the brief language of the treaty
between this tribe (which had become unsettled
and wasteful) and the United States, of the 1st
of November, 1837, "the Winnebago Nation of
Indians" ceded to the general government "all
their lands east of the Mississippi." Not an
acre was reserved. And the Indians agreed
that, within eight months from that date, they
would move west of "the great river." 'i'his
arrangement, however, was not carried out
fully. In 1S42 there were only 756 at Turkey
River, Iowa, their new home, with as many in
Wisconsin, and smaller bands elsewliere. All
had become lawless and roving. Some removed
in 1S48; while a party to the number of over SOO
left the State as late as 1873. The present
home of the tribe is in Nebraska, where they
have a reservation north of, and adjacent to the
Omahas, containing over 100,00l> acres. How-
ever, since their first removal beyond the Mis-
sissippi, they have several times changed th.eir
place of abode. The period of Winnebago oc-
cupancy of Crawford county and the region of
country contiguous thereto, properly began
about the commencement of the present cen-
tury and ended, virtually, in 1848.
Within the last two years stejts have been
taken toward paying such of the Winnebagoes,
in Wisconsin, as might come forward to be en-
rolled, at least a j)ortion of the money due to
them tmder the act of Jan. 18,1881. It has
been found by this enrollment that the whole
number of Winnebagoes in Wisconsin at this
time (1884) is about 1,'200; while those in Ne-
braska number about 1,400; so that the entire
Nation now consists of about 2,600 souls.
Concerning the removal of the Winnebagoes,
John H. Fonda says:
During the year 1848, just previous to the
adoption of the State Constitution, the Win-
nebago Indians were scattered through the
country along tlie Wisconsin and Fox rivers,
through the Kiekapoo timbers, and the Lemon-
weir valley. Orders came from the sub-Indian
agent, J. E. Fletcher, to collect and remove
them to their Reservation, near Fort Atkinson,
Iowa.
In 1848, when orders were received at Fort
Crawford to remove the Winnebagoes, several
attempts were made to do so, but with jioor
success. Early in the same year I received the
following official letter:
Office Sub-Indian Agent, )
Turkey River, Jan. 4, 1848. \
Sir: — In answer to your inquiry respecting
the disposition to be made of the Winnebago
Indians, who may be found wandering about
through the country, I have to say that I wish
you to arrest them, cause them to be securely
guarded, and report them to me as early as may
be practicable.
Very respectfully your obd't servant,
J. E. Fletcher,
To Lieut. , Induin AgH.
Commanding Ft. Crawford, W. T.
Upon receipt of the above, I made all neces-
sary preparation, and started with fifty men to
collect the Indians. This attempt was quite
successful, and several hundi'ed were arrested,
and sent to Fort Atkinson, Iowa. It may ap-
pear strange to some persons that such a hand-
ful of men could take many hundred Indians
prisoners, and guard them day and night as we
traveled through a wild unsettled country; but
it was done, and I have a list of names of those
men who accompanied me on that expedition.
lOd
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
My journal, kept during the time we were hunt-
ing the Indians, presents numerous interesting
items, only one or two of which, I will relate.
In taking the Indians, great caution was
necessary to enable us to approach them. When
the scouts reported that Indians had been dis-
covej'ed, four or Ave of the men would start on
ahead, enter the Winnebago camp, collect all
the guns and take off the locks before the Indians
were aware of their intention. Frequently a
hunting party would come in while the
men were ?<?i-locking the guns, and make a
demonstration of resistance, by which time
our entire party would arrive, and prevail
on them to submit to the same treatment, telling
tiiem if they came along with us quietly, no harm
would be offered them. On the 10th of May
we encamped in a valley near the Baraboo, and
three, days after were on Dell creek. Here the
scouting party captured a Winnebago Indian,
who told me his part of the tribe were encamped
at Seven Mile creek. I sent eleven men to the
camp, which was very large and comprised ii'any
lodges. When the main body had come up to
the Indian camp, we found the men had suc-
ceeded in getting all the guns but one, which
belonged to a young brave who refused to give
it up. Fearing he might do mischief, the gun
was taken from him. It was a fine rifle, of
which he was proud; but in spite of his remon-
strance, the lock was taken off, and put in a bag
with others. When the piece was rendered un-
servicable, they handed it back to the young
Indian. He looked at it a moment, and then
grasping the barrel he raised it above his head,
and brought the stock down with such force
against the trunk of a young sapling, as to break
it to splinters, and threw the barrel many rods
from him. His sister, an Indian girl about sev-
enteen years old, picked up the barrel and handed
it to him. The brother bent it against the tree
and then hurled it over the bank into the creek.
The addition of the Indians put us on short
allowance, and I was obliged to send one of the
wagons back to Baraboo for provisions and
grain. Just before making camp on main ridge
the 15th of May, my horse was bitten on the
nose by a rattlesnake. The horse's head was
soon swelled to twice its natural size, and I
thought him as good as dead, when an old
Frenchman offered to make the horse well by
the next morning. I turned the horse over to
his care, and sure enough, the morning follow-
ing the swelling had all disappeared, and the
horse was as well as ever. I asked what he had
put on to effect the sudden cure, he said he did
not apply anything, but one of the men told me
that he cured the horse by looking at and talking
to it. This was the same man who cured one,
Theo. Warner, now [1858] living in Prairie du
Chien, when he was bitten by a rattlesnake.
His name was Limmery, and a strange man he
was; his eyes were the smallest I haveeverseen
in the head of any human being, with a piercing
expression that once seen could never be forgot-
ten. He would never allow a snake to be killed
if he could help it, and could take up the most
venomous snake with impunity. I saw him
take up a large moccasin snake while we were
in the Kickapoo bottoms, and it never offered to
bite him, while it would strike fiercely at any
third person who approached it. I could only
attribute the strange power of this man to some
mesmeric influence.
We were fortunate enough to bring all the
Indians to Prairie du Chien without accident,
where they were delivered to a body of regulars
from Fort Atkinson, who moved them to their
Reservation. 'J'hat was the last of theWinne-
bagoes in Wisconsin as a tribe. There are now
a few stragglers loitering near their old hunt-
ing grounds, in the Kickapoo and Wisconsin
bottom lands, but altogether they do not exceed
a hundred souls.
THE WINNEBAGOES IN 1816.
In 1816 the Menomonees inhibited the coun-
try about Green bay, and their women occasion-
ally married Winnebagoes, but not often. The
Menomonees were a quiet and peaceful race,
well disposed and friendly to the whites. To-
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
107
mah, the actingj chief of the Nation, was well
spoken of by all the traders who knew him.
The principal villages of the Winnebagoes
were at the lower and upper end of the lake of
that name, with an occasional lodge along the
Fox river. At the season that traders generally
passed the Portage of Wisconsin, they would
find old grey headed Day-Kau-Ray at the
Portage with his band. Their village was a
short distance from there up the Wisconsin,
and the Winnebagoes had villages up the Bara-
boo river, and several small ones along down
the Wisconsin to near its nioutii and up the
Mississijipi. They were estimated at that time
by the liaders best acquainted with them, to be
about 900 warriors strong. Of tlie Day-Kau-
Rays, tliere were four or five brothers, who
were all influential men in the Nation. One
sister had a family of cliildnMi by a trader
named Lecuyer, who had married her after the
Indian manner. Tradition says that their
latlier was a French trader, who, during the
lime the French hnil possession of tlie country,
married a Winnebago woman, tlie daughter of
tlie principal chii'f of the Nation, l)y whom he
had these sons and daughter; that at the time
the country was taken possession of by the
English, he abandoned them, and they were
raised among the Indians, and being the de-
scendants of a chief on the mother's side, when
arrived at manhood they assumed the dignity
of their rank by inheritance. They were gen-
erally good Indians, and fre(iuently urged their
claims to the friendship of the whites by saying
they were them'ielves half white.
THE WINNEBAGOES IN 1818.
The locations cf the different tribes of Indi-
ans in the vicinity of Crawford county, in 1818,
including also the homes of the Winnebagoes,
is clearly pointed out in the narrative of Ed-
ward Tanner, published in the Detroit Gazette
of January 8 and 15, 1819 :
"The first tribe of Indians after leaving St.
Louis is the Oyiwayes, (lowas). This tribe live
about 100 miles from the west side of the Mis-
sissippi, on the Menomonee, and have about
400 warriors. The next tribe are the Sauks,
who live on the Mississippi, and about 400
miles above St. Louis. Tiiey emigrated from
the Ouisconsin (Wisconsin) about thirty-five
years ago. Their military strength is about ^00
warriors, exclusive of old men and boys, and
are divided into two divisions of 400 men.
Each division is commanded by a war chief.
The first are those who have been most distin-
guished for deeds of valor, and the second the
ordinary warriors. They have also two village
chiefs who appear to preside over the civil
concerns of the Nation. The next tribe is the
Fox Indians. This tribe have a few lodges on
the east side of the Mississippi near Fort Arm-
strong and about four miles from the Sauk vil-
lage. Thirty miles above this, at the mine De
Buke (Dubuque), on the west side, they have
another village, and another on Turkey river,
thirty miles below Prairie du Chien. Their
whole military strength is about 400 warriors.
They are at this time in a state of war with the
Sioux; and as tlie Sauks are in strict amity with
the Fox Indians, and liave the influence and
control of them, they are also drawn into the
war. This war was in consequence of depreda-
tions committed by the Fox Indians on the
Sioux.
"Prairie du Chien, on which the village of
that name stands, is a handsome plain, about
half a mile wide from the bank of the river to
the bluff or commencement of the rising ground,
and out of danger from inundations. Inconse-
quence of the serpentine course of the river,
the plain widens above and below the village.
The soil is a black sand about fifteen inclies
deep, appearing to be very productive. The
foundation is gravelly, containing amber stones
susceptible of a handsome polish. Timber is
scarce. The upland in the vicinity is very
broken, poor and nearly barren. In the settle-
ment are about 1,500 inhabitants, exclusive of
the military, who are principally Creoles. As a
108
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
place of business, it now appears on the de-
cline. «
"The river Ouisconsin (Wisconsin) is about
half a mile wide — common deptli one to four
feet — no falls, but generally a brisk current.
The channel is subject to change, from the
numerous bars of sand which lie in it, and fre-
quently alter their position. In the river are
numerous islands, on which grow the principal
timber of the country. The banks are generally
low and sandy — some plains lined with the com-
mon granite stone. Tlie bordering country is
very broken, sandy and barren. In llie interior
the same description will answer. Barren,
broken and destitute of vegetation, few places
can be found that will admit of settlements.
The Winnebago Indians inhabit the country
bordering on the tributary streams of both sides
of the river. They appear to go abroad for
their game, and have no conveniences for
dwelling, except a kind of lodge which tliey
carry with them wherever they go. Their ter-
ritory extends from the Mississippi to the vi-
cinity of Green bay, and the number of their
warriors is 700."
INDIAN AFFAIRS IN CRAWFORD COUNTY.
From the commencement of the settlement
upon the "Prairie des Chiens" until the final
disappearance of the Winnebago Indians, as
elsewhere described, Indian affairs in some way
engrossed a large share of the attention of the
pioneers. Important treaties were held here,
notably in 1825 and 1829. For a number of
years the Winnebagoes assembled here annual-
ly, to receive their payments. One of the most
tragical events of the Winnebago war occurred
near here, as explained in another chapter ;
and the closing incidents of that brief season of
hostile acts were upon the "prairie." During
the Black Hawk War, in 1832, Prairie du Chien
was an important point of operations for the
Americans, as is fully shown in another portion
of this historv.
TREATIES WITH THE SAC AND FOX INDIANS AND
THE WINNEBAGOES.
Twelve treaties were held at different times
between the United States and the Sac and Fox
Indians and the Winnebagoes, affecting, im-
mediately or remotely, the territory now in-
cluded within the limits of Crawford county, as
follows :
1. A treaty was held at St. Louis, Nov. .3,
1804, between the Sacs and Foxes and the
United States. William Henry Harrison was
acting commissioner on tiie part of the govern-
ment. By the provisions of the treaty, the
chiefs and head men of the united tribes ceded
to the United States a large tract on both sides
of the .Mississippi, extending on the east from
tlie mouth of the Illinois to the head of that
river, and thence to the Wisconsin, and inclu-
ding on the west considerable portions of Iowa
and Missouri, from the mouth of the Gasconade
northward. In what is now the State of Wis-
consin, this grant embraced the whole of the
present counties of Grant and Lafayette and a
large piortion of Iowa and Green counties. The
lead region was included in this purchase. In
consideration of this cession, the general gov-
ernment agreed to protect the tribes in the quiet
enjoyment of their land, against its own citi-
zens and all others who should intrude on them.
The tribes permitted a fort to be built on the
upper side of the Wisconsin river near its
mouth, and granted a tract of land two miles
square adjoining the same. Tlie government
agreed to give them an annuity of $1,000 per
annum. The validity of this treaty was denied
by one band of Sac Indians, and this cession of
land became, twenty-eight years after, the
alleged cause of the Black Hawk War.
2. Another treaty was held at Portage des
Sioux, now a village in St. Charles Co., Mo., on
the Mississippi river, Sept. 13, 1815, with cer-
tain chiefs of that portion of the Sac Nation
then residing in Missouri, who, they said, were
compelled since the commencement of the late
war, to separate themselves from the rest of
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
109
their Nation. They gave their assent to the
treaty made at St. Louis in 1804, and prom-
ised to remain separate from the Sacs of Rock
river, and to give them no aid or assistance,
until peace should be concluded between the
United States and the Foxes of Rock river.
3. On the 14th of September a treaty was
made with tlip cliiefs of the Fox tribe, at the
same ])'ace. They agreed that all prisoners in
their hands should be delivered up to the gov-
oinraent. They assented to, recognized, re-es-
tablished and confirmed the treaty of 1804 to
tlie full extent of their interest in the same.
4. A treaty was held at St. Louis, May 13,
18i6, with the Sacs of Rock river, who affirmed
the treaty of 1804, and agreed to deliver up all
the property stolen or plundered, and in failure
to do so, to forfeit all title to their annuities.
To this treaty Black Hawk's name appears with
others. That chief afterward affirmed that
though he himself had "touched the quill" to
this treaty, he knew not what he was signing,
and that he was therein deceived by the agent
and others, who did not correctly explain the
nature of the grant; and in reference to the
treaty of St. Louis in 1 8U4, and at Portage des
Sioux in 1815, he said he did not consider the
same valid or binding on him or his tribe, inas-
much as the terms of those treaties, territory
was desorihi'd which the Indians never intended
to sell, and tiie treaty of 1804, particiilarlj^ was
m.ade by parties who had neither authority in
the Nation nor power to dispose of its lands.
Wliether this was a true statement of the case
or otherwise, it is (luite certain that the grant
of lands referred to was often eontirnied by his
Nation, and was deemed conclusive and bind-
ing by tlie government. The latter acted in
good faith to the tribes, as well as to the
settlers, in the disposition of the lands.
5. A treaty of peace and friendship was
made at St. Louis, June .3, 1816, between the
ciiiefs and warriors of that part of the ^Vinne-
bagiies rosiiling on the Wisconsin river. In
this treaty the tribe state that they have sepa-
rated themselves from the rest of their Nation;
that they, for themselves and those they repre-
sent, confirm to Vie United States all and every
cession of land heretofore made by their Nation,
and every contract and agreement, as far as
their interest extended.
6. On the 19th of August, 1825, at Prairie
du Chien, a treaty was made with the Sioux,
Chippewas, Sacs and Foxes, Winnebagoes, Ot-
tawas and Pottawattamies, by which the
boundary between the two first Nations was
agreed upon; also between the Chippewas,
Winnebagoes and other tribes.
7. Another treaty was held Aug. 5, 1^26,
at Fond du Lac of Lake Superior, a small settle-
ment on the St. Louis river, in Itasca Co., Minn.,
with the same tribes, by which the previous
treaty was confirmed in respect to boundaries,
and those of the Chippewas was defined, as a
portion of the same was not completed at the
former treaty.
8. A treaty was made and concluded Aug.
1, 1827, at Butte des Morts, between the United
States and the Chippewa, Menomonee and
Winnebago tribes, in which the boundaries of
their tribes were defined; no cession of lands
was made.
9. A treaty w'as made at Green Bay, Aug.
25, 1828, with the Winnebagoes, Pottawattamies
and other tribes. This treaty was made to re-
move the difficulties which had arisen in con-
sequence of the occupation by white men of
that portion of the mining country in the south-
western part of Wisconsin wliicii had not been
ceded to the United States. A provisional
boundary was provided, and privileges accorded
the government to freely occupy their territory
until a treaty should be made for the cession of
the same. This treaty was simply to define the
rights of the Indians, and to give the United
States the right of occupation.
10. Two treaties were made at Prairie du
Chien on the 29th of July, 1829, and Aug. 1,
1829. At the first date, with the Chippewas,
Ottawas and Pottawattamies, by which these
110
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
Nations ceded all tlieir lands which they claimed
in the northwestern part of Illinois; and at the
latter date with the Winnebagoes, by which
that Nation ceded and relinquished all their
right, title and claim to all their lands south of
the Wisconsin river, thus confirming the pur-
chase of the lead-mine region. Certain grants
were made to individuals, which grants were
not to be leased or sold by the grantees.
By this important treaty, about 8,00C,000
acres of land were added to the public domain.
The three tracts ceded, and forming one whole,
extended from the upper end of Rock river to
the mouth of the Wisconsin, from latitnde 41
degrees .30 minutes to latitude 43 degrees ] n
minutes on the Mississippi Following the
meanderings of the river, it was about 240
miles from west to east, extending along the
Wisconsin and Fox rivers, affording a passage
across the country from the Mississippi to Lake
Michigan. The south part of the purchase ex-
tended from Rock Island to Lake Michigan.
11. At the conclusion of the Black Hawk
War, in 1832, for the purpose of clearing up the
Indian title of the Winnebago Nation in the
country, a treaty was made and concluded at
Fort Armstrong, Sept. 15, 1832. All the terri-
tory claimed by this Nation lying south and
east of the Wisconsin and Fox rivers of Green
bay, was ceded to the United States, and no
band or party of Winnebagoes was allowed to
reside, plant, fish or hunt on these grounds,
after June 1, 1833, or on any part of the country
tlierein ceded.
12. The Winnebago Nation, by the chiefs
and delegates, held a treaty with the govern-
ment at Washington, Nov. 1, 1S37. Tliat
Nation ceded all their lands east of the Missis-
sippi, and obligated themselves to remove,
within eight months after the ratification of the
treaty, to certain lauds west of the Mississippi
which were conveyed to them by the treaty
of Sept. 21, 1832.
A SEQUAL TO THE GREAT INDIAN TREATY OF 1829.
[By Caleb Atwater.]
On the day we delivered the goods to the
Winnebagoes, after the Indians were all seated
on the ground in rows, the chiefs on the highest
spot in the center, on benches, clothed in the
most sumptuous manner; where they could see
and be seen to the best advantage; every tribe
by itself; the half-breeds in one place, the full
whites in another. As I passed through the
open spaces between the ranks, my attention
was forcibly drawn to a particular spot by a
constant snarling, hissing noise of some miser-
able human beintr, whom, on approaching
I ascertained to be an Indian woman, shriveled,
haggard and old, though remarkably neat in
her person and dress. She appeared to be
about sixty years of age, and scolded inces-
santly. Some of the goods placed before her, as
her share of them, she complained of as being
too fine; others as being too coarse; some cost
too much, while others were quite too cheap,
and none of them seemed to please her. Wish-
ing, if possible, to please all of them, and
especially the ladies; actuated by tiie best of
motives, I endeavored by every argument in my
power to satisfy her, that so far as I could do
anything towards it, great care had been taken
in the distribution to do justice to every indi-
vidual. I told her that her great father, the
President, had specially ordered me, so far as
in me lay, to please all, and to see that none
went home dissatisfied. At that moment she
returned upon me a volley of epithets too de-
grading to be repeated, even though applied to
myself, as I felt conscious of not deserving
them. Turning around to some females who
were politely sitting on the ground behind me
I learned the fault finder teas an old maid, (un-
married men at sixty years of age I will call
bachelors, but ladies never), and that the only
distinguishing mark of attention she had ever
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
Ill
received from any man was a smart blow with
a flat hand on lier right ear.
As there is no law regulatingtaste, and some-
times no rational way of accounting for some
of its freaks; and as some sights are the aver-
sion of some persons, while the appearance of
other objects is equally disagreeable to others;
and as I never could endure the ideas conveyed
to raj- mind by a rattlesnake, a heartless politi-
cioii, an iceberg and a cold-hearted woman, I
turned away from lier in disgust, and never saw
her more nor inquired her name, for fear I
should remember it. She was the only person
who left the treaty ground dissatisfied with the
commissioners. To please her it was utterly
impossible.
Seated, as I said, upon rising ground on
benches, clad in blankets, eitiier red or green;
covered with handsome fur hats, with three
l^eautiful ostriuii plumes in each hat; dressed
in ruffled calico shirts, leggins and moccasins,
all new, and faces painted to suit the fancy of
each individual, who held in his hand a new
ritie, adorned too, with silver brooches, silver
clasps on every arm, and a large medal sus-
pended on each breast; the chiefs, principal
warriors and head men, to the number of forty-
two, sat during the two hours after all the
goods had been delivered to the Nation.
Every individual of both sexes in the Nation
had iyitig directly before the person on the
ground the share of the goods belonging to the
individual. Great pains had been taken to
give each, such, and just so many clothes as
would be suitable for the owner to wear during
the year to come. The clothes were cut so as
to correspond exactly with the sPze of the
owner. The pile of clothes for each person
was nearly two feet in thickness, the sight of
which entirely overcame with joy our red
friends, and tliey sat, during two hours, in the
most profound silence, not taking off their eyes
one moment from the goods, now their own.
For ilie first time during my constant inter-
course of several weeks with these interesting
sons and daughters of the forest, as I passed re-
peatedly through their ranks, not an eye ap-
peared to see me, not an ear to hear my heavy
tread, not a tongue, as always heretofore, re-
peated the endearing name of "Oconee Kairake,"
(the good chief), which their kind partiality
had given me on my first landing at Prairie
du Chien. Their minds were entirely over-
come with joy.
The day being far spent, and, as the landing
of the canoes, in which they were about to de-
part, would necessarily occupy some little time,
I informed the chiefs and principal men that
the time had arrived when we should part to meet
no more; that the great gun at the fort would
soon be fired to do them honor. With one ac-
cord they all arose, and shaking me heartily by
the hand, many of them shedding tears on the
occasion, they one and all invited me to visit
them at their respective places of abode. In
a shrill tone of voice Nankaw issued his orders
for every individual to arise, take up his or her
goods, and repair to the beach of the river near
at hand, and there await the signal from the
fort for their embark ition.
In fifteen minutes they were all seated on the
sands by the river's edge, where they all sat in
breathless silence awaiting the signal, which
was soon given. As soon as that was given
each chief came forward, shook me again cor-
dially by the hand, accompanied l)y the warm-
est protestations of friendship. In a few mo-
ments more they were off, covering a consider-
able surface with their canoes, eacii one of
which carried its flag of some sort floating in
the gentle breeze, which ruffled the surface of
the Mississippi.
The Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawatta-
mies had received their goods in the same man-
ner as the Winnebagoes; had been treated pre-
cisely in the same way, and three guns, one for
each Nation, had given them signal to depart,
and they had parted with me Iti the same kind
and affectionate manner.
112
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
After the departure of the above named In-
dians, we had the Sanks and Foxes still with
us, with whom we had orders to hold a council
to ascertain from them "if they would sell their
mineral lands, situated west of the Mississippi?"
— and if they would sell them, upon what
terms?"
Gen. M'Neil, who was in command as a mili-
tary officer in this section of country, addressed
these tribes and was answered by Keokuk on
the part of the Sauks, and by Morgan for the
Foxes. I regret that the injunction of secrecy
rests on these speeches in the United States
Senate; otherwise I should take great pleasure
in laying them before the reader. Keokuk, in
particular, made one of the best speeches I ever
heard, and it was admired as such by several
members of the Senate. Keokuk, on the part
of these Indians, complained to us of certain
white men who hid settled on the Indian lands
along the Mississippi in order to supply per-
sons navigating the river with necessaries, such
as poultry, milk, butter, eggs, and above all,
cordwood for the ste-imboats. He complained
that the United States had cultivated lands as a
garden for the garrison at Prairie du Chien —
had erected a mill without leave, on Indian land
— and had not fulfilled former treaties with
them.
Making them liberal presents, we naturally
deferred the whole subject in discussion for the
consideration of the government of the United
States to act on it ; and I take pleasure in say-
ing the government has, since that time, done
its duty to these sons of the forest.
After arranging all matters with them as well
as we could, which occupied several days, they
were dismissed in a very friendly manner, as
all other Indians had been already, and they
immediately descended the river for their
homes.
Before leaving this place I wish to make a
few remarks of a general nature.
Though I neither am, nor ever pretended tj
be a military man, yet I venture a few remarks
on some of the military establishments in the
northwest.
The fort on Rock Island is commanded by
hills on both sides of it, and could not stand an
hour against an enemy with cannon posted on
the heights.
VVhy this fort was placed here where it is, no
man of sense can tell, if the British were to be
the attacking enemy. If this work was intended
to protect this frontier against Indians it is
in so dilapidated a state that by crossing on the
island above the fort, or gliding along in their
canoes under the western side of the island,
which forms the outside of the fort, the Indians
could in any dark night make themselves mas-
ters of the garrison in fifteen minutes. When-
ever they please they can collect at this point
in ten days 4,000 warriors, to contend with 400
soldiers. There is no regular mail connecting
this post with the United States, and war might
be declared for three months, in some seasons
of the year, without the garrison's knowing it.
There is a postoffice established here, and in
summer the officers sometimes go to Galena for
their papers and letters, 100 miles above them
— and sometimes they go to Springfield, in the
Sangarao country, a distance of seventy miles
perhaps, for their letters. The officers must go
themselves, as the soldiers, if permitted to go,
would desert the service. Cut off from all the
world, that is, the civilized world, during six
months of the year, the officers and soldiers
lead a life as dull as need be. The officers
who have families have established a school for
their children, which is doing very well.
Ascending the Mississippi, 200 miles or more
above Rock. Island, we arrive at Fort Crawford,
at Prairie du Chien. This post like that at
Rock Island, stands near the Mississippi on its
eastern shore, and is entirely and completely
commanded by the hills on each side of the
river. It enjoys, too, a situation so low that
nearly every summer, during the dog days, its
site is under water from six to ten feet in depth,
from the overflowing of the river.
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
113
This work is in so dilapidated a state that I
presume it is now abandoned for another site
somewhat more elfcvattd but nearer the high
hill that will forever command it, just east of
it. Maj. Garland pointed out to me the spot
where he supposed a nnw fort would be erected.
There is a propriety in placing a military post
somewhere, at or near the mout i of the Wis-
consin, in order to form a line of posts situated
on Green bay, where there is a fort- and in the
interior, at the spot where Fort Winnebago is;
but what consideration could have induced tlie
government to place a garrison at St. Peters,
300 miles and more beyond a single wliite set-
tlement — unconnected, too, with any other post
in the very heart of the Indian country, I am
unable to determine. If this post was intended
to strengthen tliis frontier, it certainly weakens
it to the amount of the force stationed there
added to an amount of force enough to succor
and defend it. If the object was to station a
garrison where an intercourse with the Indians,
for the purposes of trade, was sought, Lake
Pepin, far below it, is tlie place where it should
have been located. As it is, it so happens often
that the officers and others who pass and repass
between Prairie du Ciucn and St. Peters are
t.iken prisoners on the route by tiiu In<Iians.
Unless some one wished to get a good govern-
mental job by getting this post established,
tlu'ii I cannot account for this strange location,
and I am equally at a loss to account fur the
continuance of this worse than useless establish-
ment where it is.
All the ofKcers in the Indian country, who
have been there ten years, ought instantly to be
relieved by others. Lieut. Col. Z. Taylor, has
been in the Indian country constantly with his
family, about twenty years. Here he and his
lady, wlio were bred in the most polished and
rofiued sot'iciy, have been compelled to rear, as
well as they could, a worthy and most interest-
ing family of children. Col. Taylor commands
Fort Crawford, at Prairie du Chien. Dr. IJeau-
mont and his amiable and accomplished lady;
Maj. Garland and his, belonging to this garri-
son, are doing tlie same. It is an interesting
sight, to see such persons, located as they are,
in a fort, on the very verge of civilized life,
educating a family of young children. The sit-
uation of delicate females, belonging to some
of the best families in the Nation, reared in
tenderness, amidst all the luxuries and refine-
ments of polished society, now living in a fort,
calls for our sympathy and admiration of their
fortitude, which enables them to bear with all
the ills, and overcome all the difficulties attend-
ant on their mode of living. When i was very
unwell, from exposure, miserable water, and the
worst of cookery, and worn down too by fatigue
of body and mental suffering, I always found
sympathy, food that I could eat, and smiles
and kindness wliicii touched my heart, in the
families I have named, nor can I ever forget the
females belonging to the families of Mr. Rolette
and of Judge Lockwood, at Prairie du Chien.
Without their kindness towards me, I must
have perished. I do not deny my fondness for
woman, because I know that in cases of distress
and suffering, her sympathy and cheering voice,
infuses into man new life, new vigor, and new
fortitude, and he marches onward with redoub-
led energy, to climb over every alps that is
placed in his way. Living, as these ladies do,
amidst dangers, in an Indian country, they are
familiarized with them and their animating
voice is worth an army of men. I never can
forget them, nor their families while I live.
Would the government hear my feeble voice,
such officers would not be compelled, witli their
families, to spend all their days, in an Indian
country, while others who have known no suf-
fering in the s rvice, are attending levees and
gallanting about the ladies at Washington City.
There is something wrong in all this, that I
hope will be rectified yet.
At each of the military posts, the officers liave
established a library and a reading room, at
their own expense. Their books consist of
useful works, connected with their pursuits.
114
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
History, geography, mathematics, chemistry
and scientific books, are in the library, and tlie
officers and their families are well read in them
all. Though they may be uninformed as to the
passing events, at the very moment they occur,
yet, at unequal periods, their regular files of all
the best newspapers published in the United
States, are received and read with care. The
Natirmal Intelligencer, National Gazette, all the
literary periodicals, worth reading, are carefully
perused
The younger officers were all educated at
West Point Academy, and whenever I met one
of them, I always found a gentleman, and man
of science, brave, active, vigorous, energetic,
high minded, honorable, strictly honest and
correct in all his deportment. He claimed all
that belonged to him, and not one tittle more,
of any one. These officers, belonging to the
first families in the Nation, educated in the
very best manner, are induced by their self re-
spect, to conduct themselves in the very best
manner on all occasions. They fear nothing
but disgrace, originating in their own bad con-
duct, and they scrupulously avoid it everywhere,
and at all times. As officers, as gentlemen and
as men, I feel proud of them as my countrymen.
I pray them to accept tliis testimony in their
favor, as a small payment towards a large sum,
justly due to them for their good conduct in
every part of the Union where I have had the
pleasure of meeting with them. My only re-
gret is, that this honest, heartfelt approbation
of them is all I have it in my power to bestow
upon persons so worthy. Those who are in
actual service on the Indian frontier, deserve
moie pay than they receive, in a country where
everything is so e.\;travagantly dear. Congress
ought to remember these worthy men, and make
future provision for tiiem, and to Congress I
submit their case. While those who shine in
every fashionable circle at Washington, under
the eye of Congress, are well paid for their ser-
vices, it is to be hoped that others, who undergo
nothing but hardships, will not be forgotten, as
I know they will not be by the Senate.
Having completed all our business of a public
nature, so far as we could at this place, about
the middle of August, as near as I now remem-
ber, we concluded to give our friends here a
ball on the evening preceding our leaving them.
It was attended by all of the respectable part of
the people in the garrison and in the village.
It was a most interesting scene. Within the
council house, where the civilized people were
assembled, might be seen persons of both sexes,
as polished and as refined in their manners, as
well bred, and educated as well too, as any per-
son in the United States; and at the same
moment might be seen on the outside of the
house, at the doors and windows, looking on
and occasionally dancing by themselves, by way
of experiment, or to show what they could do
as dancers in the open air, as motley a group of
creatures, (I can scarcely call them human be-
ings) as the world ever beheld. They are a
race peculiar to those parts of the upper Missis-
sippi, where settlements were originally made
by the French, soon after the conquest of
Canada by the English, under Gen. Wolf. They
are of a mixed breed, and |)robably moie mixed
than any other human beings in the world;
each one consisting of negro, Indian, French,
English, American, Scotch, Irish and Spanisli
blood; and I should rather suspect some of
them to be a little touched with the prairie
wolf. They may fairly claim the vices and
faults of each and all the above named Nations
and animals, without even one redeeming virtue.
The reader will see that we were on the very
confines of civilized and savage life.
The officers and their families from Fort
Crawford, and the best families in the Prairie,
were all very happy, and we parted with them
all in friendship, and retired to rest at about
midnight.
INDIANS UPON THE MISSISSIPPI IN 1825.
(By Schoolcraft.)
We fina'ly left Mackinack for our destination
on the Mississippi, on the 1st of Jaly. The
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
115
convocation to which we were now proceeding,
was for the purpose of settling internal dis-
putes between the tribes, by fixing the bounda-
ries to their respective territories, and thus lay-
ing the foundation of a lasting peace on the
frontiers. And it marks an era in the policy
of our negotiations with the Indians, which is
memor.able. No such gathering of the tribes
had ever before occurred, and its results have
taken away the necesssity of any in future, so
far as relates to the lines on the Mississippi.
We encountered head winds, and met with
some delay in passing through the straits into
Lake Michigan, and after escaping an immi-
nent hazard or being off into the open lake
in a fog, reached Green Bay on the 4th. The
journey up the Fox river, and its numerous
portages, was resumed on the 14th, and after
having ascended the river to its head, we
crossed over the Fox and Wisconsin portage,
and descending the latter with safety, reached
Prairie du Cliien on the 21st, making the whole
journey from Mackinackin twenty-one days.
We found a very large number of various
tribes assembled. Not only tlie village, but
the entire banks of the river for miles above
and below the town, and the island in the
river, was covered with their tents. Tiie I)a-
kolahs, with their high-pointed buffalo skin
tents, above the town, and their decorations
and implements of flags, feathers, skins and
personal "braveries," presented the scene of
Bedouin encampment.
Wanila, the Yankton chief, had a most mag-
nificent robe of the buffalo, curiously worked
with dyed porcupine's quills and sweet grass,
a kind of war flag, made of eagles' and vultures'
large feathers, presented quite a martial air.
War clubs and lances presented almost every
iniaginabie device of paint, but by far the most
elaborate thing was their pipes of red stone,
curiously carved, and having flat wooden handles
of some fpur feet in length, ornamented with
the scalps of the red-headed woodpecker and
male duck, and the tail feathers of birds artifi-
cially attached by strings and quill work, so as
to hang in the figure of a quadrant. But the
most elaborately wrought part of the devices
consisted of dyed porcupine quills, arranged
as a kind of aboriginal mosaic.
The Winnebagoes, who speak a cognate dia-
lect of the Dacotah, were encamped near ; and
resembled them in the style of lodges, arts and
general decorations.
The Chippewas presented the more usually
known traits, manners and customs of the great
Algonquin family — of whom they are indeed
the best representatives. The tall and warlike
bands from the sources of the Mississippi —
from La Point, in Lake Superior — from the val-
leys of the C'hi])pewa and St. Croix rivers, and
the Rice lake reg on of Lac du Flambeau, and
of Sault Sle. Marie, were well represented.
The cognate tribe of the JFcnomonees, and
Pottawattamies and Ottawas from Lake Michi-
gan, assimilated and mingled with the C'hippe-
was. Some of the Iroquois of Green Bay were
present.
But no tribes attracted as intense a degree of
interest as the lowas, and the Sac and Foxes —
tribes of radically diverse lang\iages, yet united
in a league against the Sioux. These tribes
were encamped on the island, or opposite coast.
They came to the treaty ground, armed and
dressed as a war party. They were all armed
with spears, clubs, guns and knives. Many of
the warriors had a long tuft of red horse hair
tied at their elbows, and bore a necklace of
grizzly bears' claws. Their head dress con-
sisted of red-dyed horsehair, tied in such man-
ner to the scalp lock as to present the shape of
the decoration of a Roman lielmet. The rest
of the head was completely shaved and painted.
A long iron shod lance was carried in the hand.
A species of baldric supported part of their
arms. The azian, moccasin and leggins consti-
tuted a part of their dress. Tliey were, indeed,
nearly nude and painted. Often the print of
a hand in white clay, marked the back or
shoulders. They bore flags of feathers. 'J'hey
116
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
beat drums. They uttered yells at definite
points. They landed in compact ranks. They
looked the very spirit of defiance. Their
leader stood as a prince, majestic and frowning.
The wild, native pride of man, in the savage
state flushed by success in war, and confident
in the strength of his^arm, was never so fully
de])icted to my eyes, and the forest tribes of
the continent may be challenged to have ever
presented a spectacle of bold daring, and mar-
tial prowess, equal to their landing.
Their martial bearing, their high tone, and
whole behavior during their stay in and out of
council, was impressive, and demonstrated, in
an eminent degree, to what a high pitch of
physical and moral courage, bravery and suc-
cess in war may lead a savage people. Keokuk,
who led them, stood with his war lance, high
crest of feathers, and daring eye, like another
Coriolanus, and when he spoke in council, and
at the same time shook his lance at his enemies,
the Sioux, it was evident that he wanted but an
opportunity to make their blood flow like
water. Wapelo, and other chiefs backed him,
and the whole array, with their shaved heads
and high crest of red horse hair, told the s|)ec-
tator plainly, that each of these men held his
life in his hand, and was ready to spring to the
work of slaughter at the cry of their chief.
Gen. William Clark from St. Louis, was asso-
ciated with Gen. Cass in this negotiation. The
great object was to lay the foundation of a per-
manent peace by establishing boundaries. Day
after day was assigned to this, the agents
laboring with the chiefs, and making themselves
familar with Indian bark maps and diawings.
The thing pleased the Indians. They clearly
saw that it was a benevolent effort for their
good, and showed a hearly mind to work in the
attainment of the object. The United States
asked for no cession. Many glowing harangues
were made by the chiefs, which gave scope to
thfir peculiar oratory, which is well worth the
preserving. Mongazid, of Fond du Lac, Lake
Superior, said: "When I heard the voice of
my Great Father coming up the Mississippi
valley calling me to this treaty, it seemed as a
murmuring wind; I got up from my mat where
I sat musing, and hastened to obey it. My
pathway has been clear and bright. Truly it
is a pleasant sky above our heads this day.
There is not a cloud to darken it. I hear noth-
ing but pleasant words The raven is not wait-
ing for his prey. I hear no eagle cry, come let
us go. The feast is ready — the Indian has
.killed his brother."
When nearly a whole month had been con-
sumed in these negotiations, a treaty of limits
was signed, which will long be remembered in
the Indian reminiscences. This was on the
19th of August, 1825, vide Indian Treaties p.
.371. It was a pleasing sight to see the e.\i)lor-
er of the Columbia, in 1S06, and the writer of
the proclamation of the army that invaded
Canada in 1812, uniting in a task boding so
much good to the tribes whose passions and
trespasses on each others lauds kept them per-
petually at war.
'Tis war alone that gluts the Iudiiin'» mind,
As eating meats, inflames the tiger kind.
—Hute.
At the close of the treaty, an experiment was
made on the moral sense of the Indians, with
regard to intoxicating liquors, which was evi-
dently of too refined a char icter for their just
appreciation. It had been said by the tribes
that the true reason for the commissioners of
the United States government sjieaking against
the use of ardent spirits by the Indians, and
refusing to give them, was not a sense of its
bad effects, so much, as the fear of the ex-
pense. To show them that the government was
above such a petty principle, the commissioner
had a long row of tin camp kettles, holding sev-
eral gallons each, placed on the grass, from one
end of the council house to the other, and then,
after some suitable remarks, each kettle was
spilled out ill their presence. Th^ thing was
evidently ill relished by the Indians. They
loved the whisky better than the joke.
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
117
Impostor. — Among the books which I pur-
chased for Gen. Cass, at New York, was the
narrative of one John Dunn Hunter. I remember
being introduced to the man, at one of my vis-
its to New York, by Mf. Carter. He appeared
to be one of those anomalous persons of easy
good nature, without much energy or will, and
little or no moral sense, who might be made a
tool of It seems no one in New York was
taken in by him, but having wandered over to
London, the booksellers found him a good
subject for a book, and some hack there, with
considerable cleverness, made him a pack-horse
for carrying a load of stuff about America's
treatment of the Indians. It was called a
"captivity," and he was made to play the part
of an adventurer among the Indians, somewhat
after the manner of John Tanner. Cass re-
viewed the book on our route and at the Prairie
for the North American, in an article which
created quite a sensation, and will be remem-
bered for its force and eloquence. He first
read to me some of these glowing sentences
while on the portages of the Fox. It was con-
tinued, during the leisure hours of the confer-
ences, and finally the critijue was finished,
after his visiting the place and the person, in
jMissouri, to which Hunter had alluded as his
sponsor in baptism. The man denied all
knowle(lge of him. Hunter was utterly demol-
isliid, and his book shown to be as great a
tissue of misrepresentation as that of Salmana-
zar himself.
August -2 1st the party seiiarates. I had de-
termined to return to the Sault by way of Lake
Superior, through Chippewa river. But, owing
to the murder of Finley and his men at its
mouth in 1824, I found it impossible to engage
men at Prairie du Chien, to take that route. I
determined, therefore, to go up the Wisconsin,
and by the way of Green bay. For this pur-
pose, I |)urchased a light canoe, engaged men
to ])ad<lle it, and laiil in provisions and stores
to last to Green Bay. Having done so, I em-
barked about 3 o'clock p. M., descending the ma-
jestic Mississippi, witli spirits enlivened by the
liope of soon rejoining friends far away. At the
same time, Mr. Holliday left for the same des-
tination, in a separate canoe. On reaching the
mouth of the Wisconsin, we entered that broad
tributary, and found the current strong. We
passed the point of rocks called Petit Gris, and
encamped at Grand Gris.
Several hours previous to leaving the Prairie,
a friend handed me an enveloped packet, say-
ing, "read it when you get to the mouth of tlie
Wisconsin." I had no conception what it re-
lated to, hut felt great anxiety to reach the
j)lace mentioned. I then opened it, and read as
follows: "I cannot separate from you without
expressing my grateful acknowledgments for
the honor you have done me, by connecting my
name with your Narrative of Traveh in the Ceti-
tral Portions of the Mississippi Valley, e^c."
Nothing could have been more gratifying or un-
expected.
22d. A fog in the valley detained us till 5
o'clock A. M. After traveling about two hours,
ilr. Ilolliday's canoe was crushed against a rock.
While detained in repairing it, I ordered my
cook to prepare breakfast. It was now 9 o'clock,
when we again proceeded, till the heat of noon
mul-h afl^ected the men. We pusl)ed our canoes
under some overhanging trees, where we found
fine clusters of ripe grapes.
In going forward, we passed two canoes of
Menomonees, going out on their fall hunt, on
the Chippewa river. These people have no
hunting grounds of their own, and are obliged
to the courtesy of neighboring Nations for a
subsistence. They are the most erratii- of all
our tribes, and may be said to be almost no-
madic. We had already jiassed the canoes,
when >[r. Lewis, the portrait i>ainter, called
out stoutly behind us, from an island in the
river, "OhI ho!" I did not know hut there was
some other breaking of the canoe, or worse dis-
aster, and directed the men to put hack. "See,
see," said he, "that fellow's imse I Dhl you
ever see such a protuberance"'" It was one of
118
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
the Menomonees from Sutte des Morts, with a
globular irregular lump on the end of his nose,
half as big as a man's fist. Lewis' artistic risi-
bles were at their height, and he set to worlc to
draw him. I could think of nothing appropri-
ate, but Sterne and Strasbourg.
23d. A heavy fog detained us at Caramanis
village till near 6 a. m. The fog, however, still
continued so thick as to conceal objects at
twenty yards distance. We consequently went
cautiously. Both this day and yesterday we
have been constantly in sight of Indian canoes
on their return from the treaty. Wooden
canoes are exclusively used by the Winnebagoes.
They are pushed along with poles.
We passed a precipitous range of hills near
Pine creek, on one of which is a cave, called by
onr \>02i,ivaQn, L\l>ahleau Port. This supersti-
tion of peopling dens and other dark ])laces
with the "arch fiend," is common. If the "old
serpent" has given any proofs to the French
boatmen of his residence here, I shall only hope
that he will confine himself to this river,and not
go about troublingquiet folks in the land of
the lakes.
At Pine river we went inland about a mile to
see an old mine, probably the remains of French
enter|)rise, or French credulity. But all its
golden ores had flown, probably frightened ofl^
by the old fellow of U'diable au Port. We saw
only pits dug in the sand overgrown with trees.
Near this spot in the river, we overtook
Shingabowossin and his party of Chippewas.
They had left the prairie on the same day that
we did, but earlier. They had been in some
dread of the Winnebagoes, and stopped on the
island to wait for us.
In passing the channel of Detour, we observed
many thousand tons of white rock lying in the
river, which had lately fallen from the bank,
leaving a solid perpendicular precipice. This
rock, banks and ruins is like all the Wisconsin
valley rocks — a very white and tine sandstone.
We passed five canoes of Menomonees, on
their way to hunt on Chippewa river, to whom
I presented some powder, lead and flour. They
gave me a couple of fish, of the kind called
pe-can-o by the Indians.
24th. We were again detained by the fog
till half past 5 a. m., and after a hard day's
fatiguing toil, I encamped at 8 o'clock p. m., on
a sandy island in the center of the Wisconsin.
The water in the river is low, and spreads
stragglingly over a wide surface. The very bed
of the river is moving sand. V/hile supper was
preparing I took from my trunk a towel, clean
shirt and a cake of soap, and spent half an hour
in bathing in the river upon the clean yellow
sand. After this grateful refreshment, I sank
sweetly to repose in my tent.
2.5th. The fog dispersed earlier this morning
than usual. We embarked a few minntes after
4 A. M., and landed for breakfast at 10. The
weather now was quite sultry, as indeed it has
been during the greater part of every day since
leaving Tipesage — i. «. the prairie. Our route
this day carried us through the most picturesque
and interesting part of the Wisconsin, called
the Highlands or River Hills. Some of these
hills are high, with precipitous faces towards
the river. Others terminate in round, grassy
knobs, with oaks dispersed about the sides.
The name is supposed to have been taken from
this feature. * Generally speaking, the country
has a bald and barren aspect. Not a tree ha-i
apparently been cut upon its banks, and not a
village is seen to relieve the tedium of an unim-
proved wilderness. The huts of an Indian
locality seem "at random cast." I have already
said these conical and angular hills present
masses of white sandstone wherever they aie
precipitous. The river itself is almost a
moving mas.s of white and yellow sand, bro.nd,
clear, shallow, and abounding in small woody
islands and willowy sandbars.
While making these notes I have been com-
pelled to hold mv book, pencil and umbrella,
the latter being indispensible to keep oft' the
*Sin, the terminal syllable, is clearly from the Alyronquin—
Os-9in. a stone. The French addetUhe letter o, which is the
regular local form of the word, agreeably to the true Indian.
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
119
almost tropical fervor of tlie sun's rays. As
the umbrella and book must be held in one
hand, you may judge that I have managed
with some difficulty; and this will account to
you for many nncouth letters and much dis-
jointed orthography. Between the annoyance of
insects, the heat of the sun, and the difficulties
of the way, we had incessant employment.
At 3 o'clock p. M. we put ashore for dinner
in a very shaded and romantic spot. Poetic
images were thick about us. We sat upon mats
spread upon a narrow carpet of grass between
the river and a high perpendicular cliff. The
latter threw its broad shade far beyond us. This
stri]) of land was not more than ten feet wide,
and had any fragrants of rock fallen, they
wou!<l have crushed us. But we saw no reason
to fear such an event, nor did it at all take from
the relish of our dinner. Green moss had
covered the face of the rock and formed a soft
velvet covering, against which we leaned. The
broad and cool river ran at our feet. Overhang-
ing trees formed a grateful Ixnver around us.
Alas, how are those to be pitied who jirefei'
palaces Iniilt with human hands to siicli seques-
tered scenes. What perversity is lher(^ in tlif
human understanding to quit the deiiglitful
and peaceful abodes of nature, for noisy towns
ami (lusty streets. •
"To me more dear, congeni!U to my heart,
O.ie iiiitive charm tliaii all the gloss of art. "
At a late hour in theeveningwe reached the
Wisconsin port.age, and found Dr. Wood, U. S.
A., encamped there, lie had arrived a short
time before us, with four Indians and one Cana-
dian in a canoe, on his way to St. Peter's. He
had a mail in his trunk, and I had reason to
believe I should receive letters, but to my sore
disapi)oinlment I found nothing. I invited Dr.
Wood to supper, having some ducks and snipes
to offer in addition to my usual stock of solids,
such as ham, venison and buffalo tongues.
ALONG THE MISSISSIl'1'1 IN 1829.
Galena stands on the land we afterwards pur-
chased of the Indians, and is the largest town in
Illinois. When we arrived there it had been
settled about three years. It contained several
taverns, a considerable number of stores, about
a dozen lawyers, and four or five physicians, with
little to do, as the country is healthy. There
were three religious congregations in the place
— Methodists, Roman Catholics and Presbyte-
rians. The town is built on the side hill,
in the form of a crescent, on the north side
of Fever river, and contains, perhaps, 1,000
inhabitants. It is a seat of justice of Jo
Daviess Co., 111., and is situated in latitude
about 42 degrees, 30 minutes north. It con-
tains at all times very large quantities of lead,
brought here either as rent to the government,
or for sale to the merchants. The superintend-
ent of the mines and his assistant, Maj. Camp-
bell, live here. The latter gentleman and his
amiable and interesting lady had Ijeen with us
on our passage from St Louis, and they were
hapj)y to find themselves at the end of as dis-
agreeable a journey as was ever made on these
waters.
XuiTierous groceries appeared in the town, to
us, and two billiard tables were occupied by
persons who wished lo amuse themselves at
billiards.
Mr. .lames Barnes, formerly of Chillicothe,
Ohio, kept an excellent boarding house, and
I found many old acquaintances in the town,
enjoying the best of health, and they appeared
cheerful and happy.
Here we learned that a largo body of Indians
had already been assembled at Prairie du
Chien, for some time, and were in readiness to
meet us. Knowing the necessity of supplying
them with food, that ours would not reach us
for sometime yet, and knowing this to be the
last opportunity we should find to purchase any
food, we purchased 500 bushels of corn, and
loading all we could convey, we left this beauti-
ful town on the next day, and departed for our
final destination, where we arrived about the
middle of July, 1829.
120
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
As soon as we were discovered by our red
friends, a few miles below the fort, opposite to
their encampment, they fired into the air about
1,500 rifles, to honor us. Our powder had
become wet, and, to our extreme mortification
and regret, we could not answer them by our
cannon. Having fired their arms, some ran on
foot, some rode on their small horses furiously
along over the prairie to meet us where we
landed Amidst the motley g»oup of thousands,
of all ages, sexes, classes of society, colors and
conditions of men, women and children, who
met us on the wharf — Nawkaw and Hoochope-
kah, with their families, eagerly seized my
hand, and I was happy, indeed, to meet them
here. During twenty years I had seen them
several times, and they recognized me in a
moment, among the crowd, and assured me of
their friendship and good wishes. These chiefs
of the Winnebagoes and their families pressed
around me, and continued close by me until we
reached the tavern where we went. 'J'liere we
entered into a long conversation, and they in-
troduced me to their red friends. I assured
them of my ardent friendship, and that they
and their people should be dealt with, not only
justly but liberally; that the President, their
great father, was their friend, a warrior like
them, and never would do them any injury;
that I wished them all to remember what I
now told them, and when we finally parted, if my
solemn promises thus voluntarily made to them
had not been kept to the very letter, I wished
them to publicly tell me se. Shaking me
heartily by the hand, and assuring me of their
friendship, they then appealed to Col. Menard,
who heartily agreed with me in assuring them of
our good intentions towards them.
Dr. Wolcott, the agent for the Chippewas,
Ottawas and Pottawattamies, here met us, and
he liad been at incredible pains to get his Indi-
ans iiere, where they had been for nearly a
month, perhaps. Mr. Kinzy, the sub-agent of
the Winnebagoes, whose sub-agency is located
at Fort Winnebago, had also come and witli
him all the principal persons of that Nation, re-
siding in that direction.
All the Indians with whom we were sent to
treat were represented on the ground, and all
that was wanting to begin our councils we
urged forward with all the energy that the
officers of the government and their numerous
friends could muster. The next day, in com-
pany with Gen. Street, the agent of the Winne-
bagoes, resident here, several sub-agents and in-
terpreters, I met the principal men of the Win-
nebagoes, and we impressed upon them the
necessity of keeping their young men under
subjection, and arranged with them the out-
lines of the manner in which our business
should be conducted. The talk was a long one
and occupied the afternoon. Gen. Street was
very zealous in the service of the government.
Gen. McNeil and his officers at the fort
erected a council shade near the fort and in
about three days we were ready to hold a public
council, when Dr. Wolcott's Indians informed
me that they could not meet in public council
until an Indian was buried, and inquired of me
if I objected to the burial, to which I replied
that I could not object to the burial, certainly.
On the next day, to my regret, I learned thoy
would not assemble in council until the Indinn
was buried, and again inquired whether I was
willing to have the person buried, to wliicli
question I replied in the affirmative, when I was
informed that the relatives of the deceased
would not consent to the burial of the mur-
dered person until they had received a horse,
as the compensation for his death. Under-
standing the difficulty at last, the commissioners
gave the horse, the deceased was buried and tlie
Indians agreed to meet in council next day.
I took some pains to get the murderer and
the relatives of the deceased together in order
to have a perfect reconciliation between them.
They shook hands very cordially in appearance,
but the relatives of the deceased person in-
formed nie jirivately afterwards tliat, as soon
as tile murderer got home with liis horse and
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
121
goods, they would kill him and take his prop-
erty, whicli he could better keep than they
could until then. If I am correctly informed
they did as tliey assiired me they would 'after
their arrival in their own country. So that
compounding for the murderer only procrasti-
nated for a time the punishment of the crime
When everything was in readiness for the
opening of the council, the Indians of all the
tribes and Nations on the treaty ground
attended, and requested to have translated to
them, severally, wliat we said to each tribe,
which being absented to on our part, the Win-
nebagoes, the Chippewas, Oltawas, Potlawatta-
mies, Sioux, Sauks, Foxes and Monomonees,
half-breeds, the officers from the fort, the Indi-
an agents, sub-agents, interpreters and a great
concourse of strangers from every city in the
Union; and even from Liverpool, London and
Paris, were in attendance. The commissioners
sat on a raised bench facing the Indian chiefs;
on each side of them stood the officers of the
army in full dress, while tiie soldier.s, in their
best attire, appeared in lirigiit array on the
sides of the council shade. The ladies belong-
ing to the officers' families', and the best
families in the Prairie, were seated directly be-
liind the commissioners, where they conhl see
all that passed and hear all that was sai<l. l>e-
liinil the principal Indian chiefs sat the com-
mon people — first the men, then the women and
children, to the number of thousands, wlio list-
ened in breathless and death-like silence to
every word that was uttered. The spectacle
was grand and morally sublime in the highest
degree to the Nations of red men who were
present, and when our proposition to sell all
their country to their Father had been delivered
to them, they requested an exact copy of it in
writing; the request was instantly comi)lied
with and the council broke up. The next d.iy
we addressed the Winnebagoes, as we had the
Chippewas, etc., the day before, and at their
request gave them a copy of our speech.
After counciling among themselves, the Chip-
pewas, etc., answered favorably as to a sale,
though they would do nothing yet until they
had fixed on their terms.
Tlie Winnebagoes appeared in council and
delivered many speeclies to us. They de-
manded the ^20,000 worth of goods. "Wipe
out your debt," was their reply, "before you run
in debt again to us."
Our goods, owing to the low stage of the
water, had not arrived yet, and tlie Indians
feared we did not intend to fulfill Gov. Cass'
agreement of the year before. When our goods
did arrive and they saw them they then changed
their tone a little; but in the meantime, great
uneasiness existed, and I was often seriously
advised by Nawkaw and other friends to go
into the fort, as Gen. McNeil had done. Col.
Menard's ill health had compelled him to leave
the ground and go to Gen. Street's, five miles
(the general calls it three) from the council
house. Unless we left the ground, we were
told by the Winnebagoes, that they "would
use a little switch upon us." In plain Englisli,
they would assassinate the whole of us out of
the fort. Two hundred warriors under Keokuk
and Morgan, of Sauks and Foxes, arrived and
began their war dance for the United States,
and they brought word that thirty steamboats
with cannon and United Slates troops, and 400
warriors of their own, were near at hand. The
Winnebagoes were silenced by this intelligence,
and by demonstrations, not misunderstood by
them.
When Keokuk arrived, he brought two de-
serters from the garrison here, whom he had
made prisoners on his way up the river. Quas-
quawma and his son-in-law, Tia-ma, came with
Keokuk. It was a season of great joy with
me, who placed more reliance on these friendly
warriors than on all our forces. Good as our
officers were, our soldiers of the army were too
dissipated and worthless to be relicil on one
moment. Taking Keokuk aside and alone, I
told him in plain English all I wanted of him,
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
what I would do for him and what I expected
from him and his good officers. He replied in
good English: "I understand you sir, perfectly,
and it shall all be done." It was all done faith-
fully, and he turned the tide in our favor.
The goods arrived and also our provisions;
Col. Menard's and Gen. McNeil's health were
restored and they appeared again at the council
house and everything wore a new aspect. They
approved of all I had done in their temporary
absence.
On the 29th of July, 1829, we concluded our
treaty with the Chippewas, Ottawas and Potta-
wattamies.
On the 1st day of August a treaty was con-
cluded with the VVinnebagoes.
So the treaties were executed at last, and
about 8,000,000 acres of land added to onr
domain, purchased from tiie Indians. Taking
the three tracts, ceded, and forming one whole,
it extends from the upper end of Rock Island to
the mouth of the Wisconsin; from latitude 41
degrees, 30 minutes, to latitude 48 degrees, 15
minutes, on the Mississippi. Following the
meanderings of the river, it is called 210 miles
from south to north. It extends along the
Wisconsin and Fox rivers, from west to east, so
as to give us a passage across the country from
the Mississippi to Lake Michigan. The south
part of the purchase extends from Rock Island
to Lake Michigan south of the Wisconsin, the
Indians now own only reservations where they
live, which, as soon as the white people settle
on all the ceded lands, will be sold to us, and
the Indians will retire above the Wisconsin, or
cross the Mississippi, where the bear, the beaver,
the deer and the bison invite them. The United
States now owns all the country on the east side
of the Mississippi, from the Gulf of Mexico to
the mouth of the Wisconsin.
When I have crossed Rock river, after hav-
ing passed over the interior of the ceded coun-
try, I will describe it more particularly.
It remains for me to make a few remarks
upon the country along the Mississippi from
Fort Edwards upward, and briefly describe
Prairie du Chien.
Ascending the Mississippi, the country ap-
peared to rise up out of the river at Fort Ed-
wards, and the hills assume a greater elevation
still, at Du Buque's mine and tomb not far
from Galena. From thence n[)wards, the bot-
tom lands are narrow, the river turns towards
the northwest and becomes very crooked,
bounded by high hills. Cassville, thirty miles
below Prairie du Chien, stands on a narrow
bottom, where an opening into the mineral
country, in the direction of Mineral Point, pre-
sents itself. This easy passage down to the
river has located a town here of a few houses,
consisting of a tavern, a storehouse for the lead,
belonging to the United States; and here a
government sub-agent to collect and receive
the government's share of lead resides, Maj.
Beal.
Opposite to the mouth of the Wisconsin
stands Pike's hill, lofty and abrupt, and just
above this place, on the eastern bank of the
river, begins the low prairie ground on which
Fort Crawford and the village of Prairie du
Chien stand. The town begins to show itself
three miles above the Wisconsin, and extends
upwards about nine miles, where it ends. The
river is full of islands, and when at its highest
altitude in a freshet is three miles in width,
from hill to hill. Originally settled by the
French, it was once a place of some importance,
as the remains of old cellars and chimneys
show. That importance is no more, and proba-
bly never will be again. Overflowed by high
waters, and but little good land near it, with-
out waterpower, I see little inducement to build
up a town here. On the north side of the
Wisconsin there is no land on which a town can
be located near the Wisconsin, and the south
side is preferable for it, where one will, one
day, rise up. The town, though, is a seat of
justice for a county of Michigan, and perhaps
thirty families,besides those belonging to the
garrison, reside here No Indians reside near
HISTORY OP CRAWFORD COUNTY.
123
here, and there is no sort of need of nor propri-
ety in having an agency, etc., liere for the Win-
nebagoes, because Fort Winnebago is the proper
place for the agency.
Gen. Street, the agent and near relative of
Mr. Barry, the postmaster general, is the pres-
ent agent, and his residence, I consider to be
about five miles above the fort, though I am
aware that Gen. Street's estimated distance is
only three miles.
The water found by digging in this prairie is
not always good, and that in our well was the
worst I ever tasted, operating upon the bowels
like glauher salts, and I suffered excessively
I'r-om using it. Even the food cooked in it af-
fected ine seriously. 'I'lie well in tlie fort is
betier and some persons obtain water from
spiings in tlie river whtn it is low. The river
covers all the town and where the fort is in
liigh water. The .Mississippi rising late in the
season, and subsiding in the summer solstice,
this ])lace must be sickly in summer every year,
when a freshet takes such a time to appear. In
liS'29 there was no such rise in the river, of any
amount, and the place was healthy.
The only Indians living on this river below
this place and near it, are the Sauks and Foxes.
The principal town of the former, on the east
side of the Mississippi, is situated on the nortli
side of Rock river, near its mouth, and in sight
of the Mississippi. Not many years ago this
town contained, it is said, 4,000 or 5,000 inhabi-
tants. They have sold all the country east of
the river Mississipiji, and are withdrawing from
it to a new town some ten miles west of the
old town, and about the same distance from
Rock Island.
The priiu'itial town of the Foxe8*is on the
l)riiik of the river near Du Buque's mine, and
in sight of his tomb, which is erected on a high
hill, where the cross on his grave "can be seen
from the river to a considerable distance from
it. Du i>u(jue was an Indian trader and lived
and died here.
The Fox town contains twenty wigwams or
upwards, and I presume some 200 Indians. I
saw but a few acres of poorly cultivated corn
near the town, and the wigwams looked shabby
enough. Morgan is the principal warrior of
this village, as Keokuk is of the Rock river
town.
The Sauks and Foxes were so useful to us as
auxiliaries, that I feel grateful to them and
make a few remarks on their principal men who
were with us.
Keokuk, the princijtal warrior of the Sauks,
is a shrewd, politic man, as well as a brave one,
and he possesses great weight of character in
their national councils. He is a high-minded,
honorable man, and never begs of the whites.
While ascending the Mississippi to join us, at
the head of his brave troops, he met, arrested
and brought along with him to Fort Crawford,
two United States soldiers, who were deserting
from the garrison when he met them. I in-
formed him that for this act he was entitled to
a bounty in money; to which he proudly re-
plied, that he acted from motives of friendship
towards the United states, and would accept no
money for it.
Morgan is the principal warrior of the Foxes,
and resides at Du Buque's mine on the western
bank of the Mississippi. Though less versatil-
ity of talent belongs to him than Keokuk pos-
sesses, yet he is a brave man and fond of war.
More than a year before we were in this country,
this Indian general had gone to the Sioux
country and killed a woman and three children
of that Nation, which act produced the war,
then raging between the two Nations. This
act has since been dreadfully avenged by a
large party, on some twenty individuals of the
Foxes.
Tiama, a principal civil chief of the same
tribe, is an excellent man, and son-in-law of
Quasquawma. '1 heir village is already noticed
as being located on the west side of the river,
opposite where we lay on an island, at the head
of the lower rapids.
124
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
Quasquawma was the chief of this tribe once,
but being cheated out of the mineral country,
as the Indians allege, he was degraded from
his rank and his son-in-law, Tiama, elected in
his stead. The improvisatori, whose name has
escaped my recollection, is a shrewd wit and a
very good man, certainly a very amiable and
agreeable one. He is highly esteemed by all
his people.
Tom, a half-blood, is a great pet among the
whites. He speaks prairie-wolf French and a
little English, in addition to his knowledge of
Indian languages.
Of the above named individuals, and several
others belonging to these brave and generous
allies, I brought away with me as correct a
likeness as I ever saw drawn. Gratitude
towards them was my motive for being at the
expense of these beautiful paintings which have
gone to London a year since. Like many other
expenses I was necessarily put to, I have never
received even one cent from the government
towards them, nor have I received one cent,
either for my expenses or my services at St.
Louis, the lower rapids. Rock Island or Galena.
I say this because it has been stated very
differently, even on the floor of the House of
Representatives. It is not. true that all my
expenses were paid by the United States ; nor
is it true that my services liave been paid for
by the government at all. In saying this, I do
it in justice to myself as I would to do justice
to any other injured individual, however hum-
ble in the Nation. I am even yet unpaid, but I
never will condescend to beg for my pay at
the doors of Congress. I did once expect very
different treatment from my countrv-
AN INDIAN SCARE.
In 1846 the citizens living contiguous to the
Wisconsin river were treated to a genuine In-
dian scare, and as the Winnebagoes were the
supposed enemies, an account in this history is
properly given of the event.
In the winter of 1844-5, and while the Legis-
lature of the State was in session at Madison, the
capital, a rumor that an Indian war had broken
out,came to the ears of the legislators with a thou-
sand fearful forebodings, and producing intense
excitement. At this time the militia laws had
all been repealed, probably with a view to coun-
teract the supposed influence of Gov. Doty,
and the c pital he might have made by the or-
ganization of the militia, and the appointment
of the officers from among his friends, the ma-
jority of the Legislature being opposed to Doty.
At this juncture, however, a change in the
administration of the general government had
changed governors, and Gen. Dodge was again
at the helm of the territory. But the law
which abolished the militia service with a view
to hamper and trammel Doty, was now, in a
time of need, found to trammel and hamper
Dodge, for though great fear was excited, that
plunder and murder would be, or were actually
being committed by the Indians, the governor's
hands were tied By the law, which he had him-
self approved. The representations of the
Indian disturbances made to the governor he
communicated to the Assembly.
The emergency of the case was such as to
call the two Houses together at an evening ses-
sion, to receive the governor's message on the
subject, and to devise ways and means for the
public defense. And while one was looking at
another, at a loss to know what to do, a mem-
ber penned and offered a bill to repeal the act
by which the militia organization had been abol-
ished, and to restore the former laws upon the
subject. In offering the bill which contained
only a few lines, he moved a suspension of the
rules, so that the bill passed at once, and was
sent to the council; and by the same process, it
was passed there, and in about half an hour
from the time it was first offered, the governor
had approved of it, and the whole militia of the
territory was organized, officers and all,
and measures were taken to call out a
portion of it, to chastise the supposed maraud-
ers, when a second communication to the gov-
ernor showed that there was no occasion for it.
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
129
The first report bad grown out of exaggerated
sta'ements of some wliite hunters, who had
come in contact with some Indians in tht same
pursuit, and who probably took some game
which the whites would have been glad to have
taken ; and possibly some pigs had been taken
on the credit of the Indians, but this was. never
proven against them.
By reference to the Legislative journals, it
appears that this matter happened on the last
evening, Feb. 3, 1846. Tlie governor com-
municated the proceedings of a meeting of the
citizens of Muscoda, on the Wisconsin river, in
Grant county, dated Sunday night, Feb. 1, 1846,
stating as follows : "The citizens of this prairie
and surrounding country, having been for the
last several months annoyed and harrassed
by the depredations of the Winnebago Indians,
and submitted to tlieir bullying and insults,
have at length been forced to the dernier re-
sort ; to take up arms for our protection. This
evening a skirmish took plac J between the In-
dians and the citizens, in which four of the
former were severely, if not mortally wounded;
and from the known character of the Indians,
we may naturally e.xpcct more serious conse-
quences to ensue. A true and correct state-
ment of the occurrences of the day is substan-
tially as follows : A number of the Indians
came down the north side of the Wisconsin
river to Capt. Smith's, and stole his canoe. He
discovered them and called to them to bring it
back, which they refused to do. The captain,
with several other men, came over to this shore,
found the Indians who look his boat, and chas-
tised one or two of them with a stick, and in
the Thelee one of his men was severely hurt
witli a club in the hands of one of the Indians.
The Indians then ran, and the citizens, a num-
ber of whom had by this time collected, followed
them a little way and returned. In a short
time the Indians came back also. All the
citizens having by this time assembled, Capt.
ffanies B. Estes and Booth advanced towards
them, unarmed, and in a peaceable manner.
making friendly manifestations, all of which
time the Indians threatened, by drawing tlieir
knives, throwing off their blankets, waving
their guns in the air, and pointing them toward
the whites. Finding it impossible to ]>acify or
appease them they separated, and in a moment
they fired upon the citizens ; the next minute
their fire was returned, and four of them fell."
They then add, that the Indians have sent their
runners to collect their scattered bands, and the
whites have sent for aid ; that they want the
governor's assistance, and are determined to
kill or drive every Indian en the Wisconsin
over the Mississippi ; have upwards of fortj
men under arms, and have chosen James \i.
Estes for captain.
Gov. Dodge recommended the adoption of a
memorial to the secretary of war, asking for a
corps of dragoons to protect the frontier settle-
ments. "In the course of half an hour," says
the Madison Aryus of that period, "resolutions
were adopted to that effect, and the militia law
of the territory revived ;" and on the adjourn-
ment of the Legislature, the governor set out
immediately for the scene of disturbance, but
the excitement had died away and no more
trouble was apprehended.
CONCEUNING INDIAN MIGRATION.
tlJy .\ If red Brunson.)
At what period the Chippewas began to oc-
cupy that portion of the country south of Lake
Superior, and within the ancient limits of
Crawford county, it is difKcult to ascertain.
Their first council fire within these limits was
kindled on the Island of Magdalene, now. La
Pointe — but when, neither history or their
traditions definitely inform us. Whenever it
was, the Sioux occuj)ied the main land, and I
was shown points and places on the island, as
well as on the main land, where the severest of
battles were fought between these warlike tribes.
From the best dale I have the Chippewas were
on this island in 1722; for about that time a
trading post existed there, and how long pre-
viously is not determined. In 1665, the mis-
136
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
sionary, Claude Allonez reached Kenenana, and
interposed his influence in pieventing a party of
young warriors from going against the Sioux;
from which it would appear that Kenewana
was then the western limi^of tlie Chippewas,
on the south shore of that lake.*
After the Chippewas had gained a foothold
upon the Magdalene Island, their lirst move
"inland" was towards the head branches of the
Chippewa, and resulted in planting a colony at
Lake Flambeau. As early as 1659, the Chip-
pewas were near Green bay, and west and north-
west of it to the Wisconsin and Lake Superior,
from which the Flambeau colony probably re-
ceived accessions, and by degrees they extended
their conquest down the Chippewa, until the
the battle field between them and the Sioux was
between the falls of Chippewa and Lake Pe])in.
In the meantime this warlike and conquering
people extended their excursions to the head of
the lake, and up the St. Louis river; and pass-
ing the falls by a nine mile portage, they con-
tinued to ascend that river, and the Savannah
branch of it, — and by afiye mile poitage reached
the waters of Sandy Lake, on the Mississippi,
where they planted a colony, and this region
became the battle ground lietween them and
the Sioux in that direction until the line was
pushed down the river to the Sauk rapids. In
1825, when General Cass, as governor of Michi-
gan and superintendent of Indian affairs, had a
general congress of Indian Nations at Prairie du
Chien, to settle the boundaries of their respec-
tive lands, a dispute arose between the Sioux
and Chippewas, as to the line between them.
The latter claimed to the St. Peter and the Mis-
sissippi rivers, while the former claimed to Lake
Superior, and averred that their fathers had al-
ways occupied and owned the country to that
point.
General Cass inquired of the Chippewas, "on
what ground they claimed the country, the
Sioux having occupied it before the Chi]ipewas
came to it." Upon this Hole-in-the-day, then
♦Bancrofts page 150.
but a young man, rose and said, "We claim it
on the same ground that you claim this country
from the King of England — by conquest."
"Then," said Governor Cass, "you are entitled
to it." One of the most sanguine battles fought
between these tribes was at the mouth of the
Crow Wing river, as near as I conld learn, from
Indian tradition, about the year 1768. The
battle lasted four days between seventy Chip-
pewas and 400 Sioux, the most of the latter being
killed. In 1843 the remains of the fortifica-
tions, such as holes dug in the ground, and
breast works thrown up by the Chippewas, were
plainly visible; and the affair was explained to
me by William Aitkin, Esq.
The next Indian occupants of a portion of
the soil in this original country, seem to
have been the Sacs, (Sauks or Saukies) and the
Foxes, the latter called Ottigaumies by Carver.
At what time they commenced their occupation
is uncertain. In 1673, and for some time be-
fore, they lived on Fox river, uQt far from
Green bay. But in 1766, Carver found the
Sauks at Sauk Prairie, and the Foxes at Prairie
du Chien. And, according to his account of the
time of building their village — it being thirty
years previous to his reaching the place — it must
have been as early as 17-"6, and perhaps earlier.
These confederated tribes, who had been like
Ishmael, their hands against everybody, and, of
course, in self defence, everybody's hand
against them, were driven from the St. Law-
rence step by step, until they weie reduced in
numbers, and compelled to unite their frag-
ments of bands for mutual defence and self-
protection, and settle on Fox river, fifty miles
from Green bay, where in 1706, they were de-
feated by the French and some allied Indians,
who killed and took most of them' prisoners.*
It is probable that soon after this event they
moved over upon the Wisconsin river, and
wrested the country from the Sicux, with whum
and the Chippewas they kept a continual "war,
until, as Black Hawk says, in his life by Le
♦Carver's Travels, p45.
HISTORY OF (CRAWFORD COUNTY.
IS"?
Clerc, they discovered the beautiful country on
Rock river, the occupants of which were weak
and unable to defend themselves. Of this coun-
try they took possession, driving off the former
occupants This being tlie way this banded
confederated tribe got possession of the coun-
tries they occupied, we can have the less pity
for them, even if their sorrowful story of frauds
practiced upon them by the whites were true.
Somewhere between lV06 and 1786, they must
have moved to the Wisconsin; and they were
there as late as ITOO, asl was informed by
Mitchael Cadotte, who showed me mounds with
holes in them for breast works, about five miles
north of the falls of Chippewa river, wliich were
made by the Sacs and Foxes when warring
against the Cliippewas. The chief of the Foxes,
who was first found by the whites at Prairie du
Chien, was named Dog; and the prairie upon
which he built his town, was called his, or Dog's
prairif.
After the Sauks and Foxes left the Wiscon-
sin and the country north of it, and took up
their abode on Rock river and west of the Mis-
sissippi, the Winnebagoes moved from the
vicinity of the lake of their name, to the coun-
try vacated by the former; at what date is un-
certain. But as the Sauks and Foxes were here
in 1790, and not here in 1S05 when Lieut.
Pike ascended the river, the VVinnebagoes came
here prol)ably about ihe beginning of the pres-
ent century. At this ])eriod the Sioux, Chij)-
pewas and Winnebagoes, were the occupants of
the soil as limiting grounds. The Menomonees
claiming a part of the country west of the Wis-
consin, and above the Portage. In 18-25 the
the nirtes and bounds of these respective claim-
ants were settled, in a general council of all the
trihcs within reach; and continued so tintil 1837,
when the Sioux and \\ iiinebagoes sold out to
the United States a' I of llieir claims east of the
Mississippi, and the Chippewas sold all they
claimed to it, south of 46 deg. north latitude.
And «iiliin ten years the Chipiiewas and
Menomonees have sold out the remainder of
their claims, so that the Indian title to the
soil is now fully extinguished.
OF EARLY INDIAN AFFAIRS.
The fur traders and missionaries were at-
tracted to this distant quarter by nothing save
the Indian settlements. There was at first no
habitation of the red men at Prairie du Chien
or in that immediate neighborhood. The Foxes,
the Miamis, Kickapoos and Mascouting were
confederate tribes, seated east of the portage
of the Wisconsin. The Sioux and Iowa tribes,
somewhat similarly allied, were above and
across tlie great river. Between the.<e two
confederations there was a continual warfare,
which kept a large district of country between
them unoccupied and uninhabitable. It was a
war party of Sioux, in pursuit of the Miamis, that
took Hennepin prisoner. Perrot, in 16^5, with
difficulty prevented the capture of his post near
Lake Pepin by an expedition of Foxes and tiieir
allies, who designed turning his ammunition
against their hereditary enemies. The journal
of Le Sueur gives further incidents of asiinilar
nature.
The region about the mouth of the Wiscon-
sin was notoriously infested by predatory l)ands
and warlike expeditions from one side or the
other. The efforts of the French to establish a
trade with the Sioux were met at first by re-
monstrances from the Foxes, because their
sanguinary enemies were thus supplied with
fire arms and ammunition. Being unheeded,
they determined to close the road to tiie Mis-
sissippi by way of the Wisconsin, which lay
through their country, and visit vengeance upon
all who attempted to pass that way. This was
so far effectual, as early as 1699, that none ven-
tured to take that route if they could avoi<l it.
Tiie French endeavored to chastise and bring
these troublesome people to terms, and a long
period of bloody opposition followed. Laper-
riere's expedition made its wa\' to the Missis-
sippi during a lull in tlic hostilities; their re-
vival caused the abandonment of the enterprise,
as already stated. Finally, the greater portion
1'2S
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
of the Fox tribe, if not all, withdrew from the
river, which bears their name, and established
themselves in the valley of the Wisconsin,
about its mouth, somewhere near 1750.
Thus, instead of being attracted to the shores
in this derelict region, the voyageurs a,nd traders
avoided them as much as possible, whenever
they traveled the dangerous route. The li-
censed traders were attached to the interests
of the government and made instruments
of extending its territorial jurisdiction by
being given a sort of quasi military com-
mand over their employes, and at places con-
venient for their traffic, erected block houses or
stockades, which they held in the name of the
king, at their own expense. These were the
only posts or garrisons ever established by the
French west of Green bay. There was no in-
ducement whatever for such a post in the vi-
cinity of the Prairie. The reference in Perrot's
official minute indited at Green bay, in 1689,
to the trader, De Borie Guillot, as commanding
the French in the neighborhood of the Wiscon-
sin on the Mississippi, has been assumed as
evidence of the existence at that time of a post
at Prairie du Chien. With reference to this
assumption, it is only necessary to remark that
the lowas were the only Indians seated in the
neighborliood, and they were upon the oppo-
site side of the Mississippi, about Yellow river.
If that trader had any established post, whichjs
altogether improbable, it is neither designated
by name or locality, nor referred to in any
way.*
At the beginning of the war between France
and Great Britain, in 1754, the former made
*In a subsequent chapter, the question as to whether
there was ever a French tort at Prairie du Chien, is fully
discussed.
peace with the Foxes, some of whom subse-
quently enlisted under their banner. This re-
conciliation and the establishment of that tribe
at tlie mouth of the Wisconsin, by opening the
way for the traders, made an entire change in
affairs. Tlie place is now heard of for the first
time, as the seat of a village of the Foxes,
known among the traders by a name derived
from that of their principal chief, Alim, or in
the French language, Cliien, the dog ; hence.
La Prairie les Chiens, signifying the Prairie of
the Dogs, which has been modified to its pres-
ent form, Prairie du Chien. There was no
effort, however, to extend the authority of
France in this direction; its attention was with-
drawn and its energies concentrated to retain
possession of Canada, and with the surrender
of that province to the British, in 1760, all its
claims upon the northwest, as far as the Mis-
sissippi, were totally abandoned.
In 1781 the Foxes sold the prairie at the
mouth of the Wisconsin to some Canadian-
French traders, and subsequently vacated their
village, but at what precise date cannot be de-
termined. Their withdrawal, doubtless, oc-
curred within a few years in the course of the
general migration of that Nation, by whicii its
occupancy of the region upon the north side of
the Wisconsin was abandoned, and its southern
borders extended to Rock Island. It should be
remarked, however, that their bands frequented
the place as long as it continued to be a place
of resort for the neighboring Indian tribes for
purposes of trade. The country abandoned by
them was soon occupied by the Winnebagoes,
from Chippewa river to the Wisconsin, except
that they laid no claim to the prairie.
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
129
CHAPTER IV
EARLY EXPLORATIONS.
The territory now included within the limits
of Crawford county, was first visited along its
southern border in )6'13 by Frenchmen, from tlie
river St. Lawrence, in Canada. The first to
approach this region of country was John Nico-
let, in 1634, who came no nearer than to the
village of the Mascoutins, on Fox river, supposed
to have been located somewhere on that stream
within the present boundaries of Green Lake
Co., Wis. A Jesuit missionary, in 1670, also
visited the Mascoutins. His name was Claude
Allouez; but he came no nearer what is now
Crawford county, than did Nicolet, in 16.34.
EXPEDITION OF LOUIS .lOLlET.
In 1 673, Louis Joliet, accompanied by a mis-
sionary, James Marquette, and five other French-
men, ascended the Fox river to the portage, now
Portage, Columbia Co., Wis.; crossed over to
the Wisconsin river and dropped down that
river to its mouth. Thence, Joliet journeyed
down the Mississippi.
In the month of June, 167.3, two frail birch-
bark canoes glided down the current of the
Wisconsin river. It was the first time the rip-
ples on its broad bosom were stirred by the oar
of a white man. The canoes bore Louis Joliet
and Father James Marquette with five attend-
ants in quest of the great river toward the west,
of which the French on the u])per lakes had
heard from the Indians. On the seventeenth of
the month (corresponding to the twenty-eighth,
new style), their eager eyes beheld the Missis-
sippi. They entered its current, as the mission-
ary relates, turned their canoes into its channel,
and with joy inexpressible, let their canoes gent-
ly glide with the water, while they sounded its
depths. They observed, attentively, the pecu-
liarities of the majestic river and the surround-
ing scenery as they proceeded on their voyage.
Marquette's account is silent respecting the
vicinity of Prairie du Chien, doubtless because
everything in that direction was hidden from
observation by a belt of woodland thaUformerly
skirted the Wisconsin.
He says:
"We knew that there was, three leagues from
Maskoutins, a river emptying into the Missis-
sippi; we knew too, that the point of the compass
we were to hold to reach it, was the west-south-
west; but the way is so cut up by marshes and
little lakes, that it is easy to go astray, especial-
ly as the river leading: to it is so covered with
wild oats, that you can hardly discover the
channel. Hence, we had good need of our two
guides, who led us safely to a portage of 2,700
paces, and helped us to transport our canoes to
enter this river, after which they returned,
leaving us alone in an unknown country in the
hands of Providence.
"We now leave the waters which flow to Que-
bec, a distance of 400 or 500 leagues, to follow
those which will henceforth lead us into strange
lands. Before embarking, we all began to-
gether a new devotion to tlie Blessed Virgin
Immaculate, which we practiced every day, ad-
dressing her particular prayers to put under her
protection both our ])ersons and the success of
our voyage. Then after having encouraged one
another, we got into our canoes. The river on
which we embarked is called the Meskousing; it
130
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
is very 'broad, with a sandy bottom, forming
many shallows, which rendered navigation very
difficult. It is full of vine-clad islets. On the
banks appear fertile lands diversified with wood,
prairie and hill. Ileie you find oaks, walnut,
whitewood, and another kind of tree with
branches armed with long thorns. "\Ye saw no
small game or fish, but deer and moose in con-
siderable numbers.
"Our route was southwest, and after sailing
about thirty leagues, we perceived a place which
had all the appearances of an iron mine, and in
fact, one of our party who had seen some before,
averred that the one we had found was very
good and very rich. It is covered with three
feet of good earth, very near a chain of rock,
whose base is covered with fine timber. After
forty leagues on the same route, we reached the
mouth of our river, and finding ourselves at -ii^
deg. north, we safely entered the Mississippi on
the 17th of June, with a joy that I cannot ex-
press."
Louis Joliet, with his companion James Mar-
quette, and the five other Frenchmen were the
first white men who ever set foot upon any part
of whit is now Crawford county.
The next visit of any white men to Crawford
county was in 1680, upon the
EXPEDITION or MICHAEL ACCAU.
In 1680 La Salle, who was then on the Illinois
river, was desirous to have the Mississippi ex-
plored above the point where it was first seen by
Joliet; that is, above the mouth of the Wisconsin
river; so he dispatched one Michael Accau, on
an expedition thither; with him were Anloine
Augiiel and the Rev. Louis Hennepin, a recol-
let friar. The party proceeded down the Illinois
river in April and up the Mississippi river.
They were the second white men who ever saw
any |iortion of what is, at this time, Crawford
county, or who set foot upon its territory. This
was in May, 1680. The leader of this party was
Accau; Father Louis Hennepin wrote the account
here given. It was first published in 168.3.
" We set out from Fort Creve Coeur [on the
Illinois river] the 29th of February, 1680, and
toward evening, wliile descending the river
Seignelay [Illinois] we met on our way several
parties from Illinois returning to their village
in their periaguas or gondolas loaded with meat.
They would have obliged us to return, our two
boatmen were strongly influenced, but as they
would have had to pass by Fort Creve Coeur,
where our Frenchmen would have stopped them,
we pursued our way the next day, and my two
men afterward confessed the design which they
had entertained.
"The river Seignelay on which we were s.ail-
ing, is as deep and broad as the Seine at Paris,
and in two or three places widens out to a
quarter of a league. It is ski'ted by liills,
whose sides are covered with fine. Large trees.
Some of these hills are lialf a league apart, leav-
ing between them a marshy strip, often inun-
dated, especially in the autumn and spring, but
producing, nevertheless,* very large trees. On
ascending these hills you discover prairies fur-
ther than the eye can reach, studded, at inter-
vals, with groves of tall trees, apparently plant-
ed there intentionally. The current of the river
is not perceptible, except in time of great rains;
it is at all times navigable for large barks about
a hundred leagues, from its mouth to the Illi-
nois village, whence its course almost always
runs south by west.
" On the 7th of March we found, about two
leagues from its mouth, a Nation called Tama-
roa, or Maroa, composed of 200 families. 'I hey
would have taken us to their village lying west
of the river Colbert, six or seven leagues be-
low the mouth of the river Seignelay ; but our
two canoemen, in hopes of still greater gain,
preferred to pass on, according to the advice I
then gave them. These last Indians seeing that
we carried iron and arms to their enemies, and
unable to overtake us in their periaguas, which
are wooden canoes, much heavier than our bark
one, which went much faster than their boats,
dispatched some of their young men after us
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
131
by 1,'ind, to pierce us with their arrows at some
narrow part of the river, but in vain ; for soon
discovering the fire made by these warriors at
their ambuscade, we promptly crossed the river,
gained the other side, and encamped on an
island, leaving our canoe loaded and our little
dog to wake us, so as to embark more expedi-
tiously, should the Indians attempt to surprise
us by swimming across.
"Soon after leaving these Indians, we came
to the mouth of the river Seignelay, fifty leagues
distant from Fort Creve Cceur, and about 100
leagues from the great Illinois village. It lies
between 36 deg. and 37 deg. north latitude, and
consequently 120 or thirty leagues from the
Gulf of Mexico.
"In the angle formed on the south by this
river, at its mouth, is a flat precipitous rock,
about forty feet high, very well suited for
building a fort. On the northern side, opposite
the rock, and on the west side beyond the river,
are fields of black earth, the end of which you
can not see, all ready for cultivation, which
would be very advantageous for the existence
of a colony. The ice which floated down from
the north kept us in this place till the 12th of
March, whence we continued our route, travers-
ing the river and sounding on all sides to see
whether it was navigable. There arc, indeed,
three islets in the middle, near the mouth of
the river Seignelay, which stop the floating
wood and trees from the north and form sev-
eral large sand-bars, yet the channels are deep
enough, and there is siiflicicnt water for barks ;
large flat-boats can pass there at all times.
"The river Colbert [Mississipi)i] runs south-
southwest, and comes from the north and north-
west; it runs between two chains of mountains,
very small here, which wind with the river,and
in some places arc; pretty far from the banks,
so that between the mountains and the river
there are large prairies, where you often see
herds of wild cattle l)rowsing. In other places
these eminences leave semi-circular spots
covered with grass or wood. Beyond these
mountains you discover vast plains, but the
more we approached the northern side ascend-
ing,the earth did not appear to us so fertile, nor
the woods so beautiful as in the Illinois
country.
"This great river is almost everywhere a short
league in width, and in some places, two
leagues; it is divided by a number of islands
covered with trees, interlaced with so many
vines as to be almost impassable. It receiveB
no considerable river on the western side except
that of the Olontenta and another, which comes
from the west-northwest, seven or eight leagues
from the Falls of St. Anthony, of Padua. On
the eastern side you meet first an inconsider-
able river, and then further on another, called
by the Indians Ouisconsin, or Wisconsin, which
comes from the east and east-northeast. Sixty
leagues up you leave it, and make a portage of
half a league to reach the bay of the Puana
[Green bay] by another river which, near its
source, meanders most curiously. It is almost
as broad as the river Seignelay, or Illinois, and
empties into the river Colbert, 100 leagues
above the river Seignelay.
"Twenty-four leagues above, you come to the
Black river, called by the Nadouessious
[Sioux], or Islati, Chabadeba, or Cbabaoudeba,
it seems inconsiderable. Thirty leagues higher
up. you find the Lake of Tears [Pepin], which
we so named because the Indians who had
taken us, wishing to kill us, some of them
wept the whole night, to induce the others to
consent to our death. This lake which is
formed by the river Colbert, is seven leagues
long and about four wide; there is no consider-
able current in the middle that we could
perceive, but only at its entrance and exit. Half
a league below the Lake of Tears, on the south
side, is Buffalo river, full of turtles. It is so
called by the Indians on account of the num-
bers of buffalo found there. We followed it
for ten or twelve leagues; it empties with
rapidity into the river Colbert, but as you
ascend it, it is always gentle and free from
132
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
rapids. It is skirted by mountains, far enough
off in some places to form prairies. The mouth
is wooded on both sides, and is full as wide as
that of the Seignelay."
EXPEDITION OF DULUTH.
The next expedition independent of that of
Accau, and down the Mississippi from the St.
Croix to the Wisconsin river, and, therefore,
along the western border of what is now Craw-
ford county, was that of Daniel Greysolon Dii-
Lhiit, generally known as Duluth. He and some
companions, in 1680, made the journey across
from Lake Superior to the Mississippi by way
of Rois Brule river and the St. Croix. Upon
reaching the Mississippi, he learned the fact
that some Frenchmen had passed \w and had
been robbed and carried off by the Sioux
This was Accau and his parly. These, however,
he finally induced the Indians to liberate, and
the whole party floated down the river to the
mouth of the Wisconsin, returning by that
stream to Mackinaw.
THE MISSISSIPPI VISITED BY I.E SUEUR.
LeSueur, a Frenchman, passed up the Miss-
issippi from the mouth of the Wisconsin in
1683 ; but of this voyage we have no account,
only that he was on his way to the Sioux
country.
PERROt's voyage TO THE WEST.
Nicholas Parrot was the next to ascend the
Mississippi; and his was the fourth expedition
that had floated along the western border of
what is now Crawford county. This was in
1684. Perrot had been appointed by the gov-
ernor of Canada to command in the west,
leaving Montreal with twenty men. His object
was the establishing of a post on the Missis-
sippi. He proceeded from the St. Lawrence to
Green bay, and up the Fox river to the Portage;
thence down the Wisconsin and up the Missis-
sippi to Lake Pepin, on the east side of which,
near its mouth, he erected a stockade.
Tlie next year he prevented with a good deal
of difficulty the capture of his post by the Fox
lutlians and their allies. He passed the winter
of 1085-6 in his stockade, and then returned to
Green bay by the same route traveled by him
when going out. In 1688 he again ascended
the Mississippi from the mouth of the Wiscon-
sin to the mouth of the St. Peters, and returned
by the same route to Green bay. This ended
the explorations of Perrot in the valley of the
Mississippi.
LE SDEUR AGAIN ON THE MISSISSIPPI.
In the year 1700 the fifth explorer ascended
the Mississippi. His name was Le Sueur, the
same who had seventeen years before been
among the Sioux. From the 1st of September
until the 5th he advanced but fourteen leagues.
It is probable he landed several times in what
is now- Crawford county. LeSueur was the
last to ascend the Mississippi until 1727, when
Sieur La Perriere attempted a renewal of the
fur trade which the governor of Canada liad
resolved to abandon west of Mackinaw, some
time previous.
LA PERRIERE BUILDS A FORT ON LAKE PEPIN.
" Fort Beauharnais," on Lake Pepin, was
erected by La Perriere, but it was not long oc-
cupied as a military post. The same year, a
Jesuit missionary, Louis Ignatius Guignas, at-
tempted to found a mission among the Sioux
on the upper Mississippi, passing up the river
for tliat purpose to Fort Beauharnais, but it
proved a failure. He was on the Mississippi
again in 1736, and at Lake Pepin, with M. de
St Pierre, but of his latter voyage little is
known. From this time until the war of 175J-
60, between France and Great Britain, French
traders at intervals passed up the Mississippi ;
but during that conflict tlie river was totally
abandoned by Frenchmen.
THE JOURNEY OF JONATHAN CARVER.
The first to ascend the river after Great
Britain had assumed control of the country,
was Jonathan Carver. In 1766 he reached the
mouth of the Wisconsin, just above which he
found an Indian village called La Prairies les
Chiens by the French, the site of the present
village of Prairie du Chien, in Crawford Co.,
«?'■'
6i4^t^
^. ^e^^zK
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
135
Wis. It was inhabited by the Fox Indians.
He say.s the name meant Dog Plains.
"It ('Prairies les Chiens') is a large town and
contains about 300 families; the houses are well
built after the Indian manner, and pleasantly
situated on a very rich .soil, from which they
raise every necessary of life in great abundance.
I saw here many horses of a good size and
shape. This town is the great mart where all
the adjacent tribes, and even those who inhabit
the most remote branches of the Mississippi,
annually assemble about the latter end of May,
bringing with them their furs to dispose of to
the traders. But it is not always that they con-
clude their sale here ; this is determined by a
general council of the chiefs, who consult
whether it would be more conducive to their in-
terest to sell theii' goods at this place, or carry
them on to Louisiana or Michillimackinac.
According to the decision of this council they
either proceed further, or return to their differ-
ent homes.
"The Mississippi, at (he entrance of the Wis-
consin, near which stands a mountain of ccnisid-
eralile licighl, is about li:ilf a milr over ; ! ut
opposite to the last mciitionecl town it appears
to be more than a mile wide, and full of islaiids,
the soil ol' which is extraordinarily rich, and
but thinly wooded.
"A little further to the west, on the contrary
side, a small river flows into the Mississippi,
which the French call Le Jaun Riviere, or the
Yellow river. I then bought a canoe, and with
t«'o servants, one a French Canadian, and the
other a Moiiawk of Canada, on the lOth pro-
ceeded up the Mississippi." * * *
"About sixty miles below this lake is a moun-
tain remarkably situated; for it stands by itself
exactly in the middle of the river, and looks as
if it had slidden from the adjacent shore into
the stream. It cannot be termed an island, as
it rises immediately from the brink of the water
to a considerable height. Hoth the Indians and
the French call it the mountain in the river.
"One day, having landed on the shore of the
Mississippi, some miles below Lake Pepin,
whilst my attendants were preparing my din-
ner, I walked out to take a view of the adjacent
country. I had not proceeded far before I came
to a fine, level, open plain, on which I per-
ceived at a little distance a partial elevation
that had the appearance of an intrenchment.
On a nearer inspection I had greater reason to
suppose that it had really been intended for
this many centuries ago. Notwithstanding
it was now covered with grass, I could plainly
discern that it had once been a breast work of
about four feet in height, extending the best
part of a mile, and sufficienly capacious to
cover 5,000 men. Its form was somewhat cir-
cular, and its flanks reached to the river.
Though much defaced by time, every angle was
distinguishable, and appeared as regular, and
fashioned with as much military skill, as if
planned by Vauban himself. The ditch was
not visible, but I thought on examining more
curiously, that I could perceive there certainly
had been one. From this situation also I am
convinced that it must have been for this pur-
pose. It fronted the conntry, and the rear was
covered by the river. ; nor was there any rising
ground for a considerable way that commanded
it ; a few straggling oaks were alone to be seen
near it. In many places small tracks were
across it by the feet of the elk and deer, and
from the depth of the bed of earth by which it
was covered, I was able to draw certain conclu-
sions of its great antiquity. I examined all ilu
angles and every part with great attention and
have often blamed myself since for not encani])-
ing on the spot, and drawing an exact plan of
it. To show that this description is not the <'ff'-
spring of a heated imagination, or the chimeri-
cal tale of a mistaken traveler, I find on in-
quiry since my return, that Mons St. Pierre,
and several traders, have, at different times,
taken notice of similar appearances, on whicli
they have formed the same conjectures, but
without examining them so minutely as I did.
9
136
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
How a work of this kind could exist in a coun-
try that has hitherto (according to the general
received opinion) been the seat of war to un-
tutored Indians alone, whose whole stock of
military knowledge has only, till within two-
centuries, amounted to drawing the bow, and
whose only breast work even at present is the
thicket, I know not. I have given as exact an
account as possible of this singular appearance,
and leave to future explorers of these distant
regions to discover whether it is a production
of nature or art. Perhdps the hints I have here
given might lead to a more perfect investiga-
tion of it, and give us very different ideas of
the ancient state of realms that we at present
believe to have been from the earliest periods
only in the inhabitatiou.s of savages.
"The Mississippi below this lake flows with
a gentle current, but the breadth of it very
uncertain, in some places being upward of a
mile, in others not more than a quarter. This
river has a range of mountains on each side
throughout the whole of the way, which in par-
ticular parts approach near to it, in others lie at
a greater distance. The land betwixt the moun-
tains, and on their sides, is generally covered
with grass, with a few groves of trees inter-
spersed, near which large droves of deer and
elk are frequently seen feeding. In many
places pyramids of rocks appeared, resembling
old ruinous towers; at other amazing preci-
pices, and what is very remarkable, whilst this
scene presented itself on one side, the opposite
side of the .rame mountain was covered with the
finest herbage, which gradually ascended to its
summit. From thenee the most beautiful and
extensive prospect that imagination can form
opens to your view. Verdant plains, fruitful
m^eadows, numerous islands, and all these
abounding with a variety of trees that yield
amazing quantities of fruit, without care or
cultivation, such as the nut-tree, the maple which
produces sugar, vines loaded with rich grapes,
and plum trees bending under their blooming
burdens; but above all, the fine river flow-
ing gently beneath, and reaching as far as the
eye can extend, by turns attract your attention
and excite your wonder."
The following excellent summary of explora-
tions from DuLuth to Carver, is from the Illus-
trated Historical Atlas of Wisconsin of 1878:
"In 1680, the trader DuLuth was at the head
of Lake Superior; and at the same time, LaSalle
was on the Illinois river. The latter dis-
patched Father Louis Hennepin, with two com-
panions to e.xplore that river to its mouth.
From this point they turned their canoe up the
Mississippi, and fell into the hands of the Sioux,
who led them captive to their home above the
falls of St. Anthony, where they passed the
winter. The following summer, 168], Henne-
pin represented to his captors that he expected
a party of Frenchmen at the Wisconsin with
merchandise, which induced them to set out in
canoes to meet the traders, the Father being
permitted to follow. The party in advance,
upon reaching the Wisconsin and finding no
Frenchmen, retraced their course and met their
prisoner with severe reproaches for deceiving
them. DuLuth, hearing of these men, de-
scended the St. Croix with five attendants and
joined them on the Mississippi, whereupon
taking Hennepin under his protection, the
whole party proceeded down the Mississippi
and by way of the Wisconsin to Green bay,
stopping within a day or two's journey of the
Wisconsin, to smoke some meat.
"Nicholas Perrot proceeded by this route to
visit the Sioux in 168.3. He was at the time, or
soon afterward, commissioned by the governor
of Canada to manage the interests of commerce
from Green bay westward. He built a small
log fort nearly opposite tlie mouth of Chippewa
river, which he appears to have made his winter
headquarters for several years. It was called
the post of the Nadouessioux (Sioux). De
Borie Guillot is mentioned by Charlevoix as
trading near the Mississippi, whfence he was re-
called in 16SV; and is cited by Perrot as com-
manding the French traders in the neighbor-
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
137
hood of the Wisconsin on the Mississippi. Le-
Sueiir, in 1683, descended tlie Wisconsin and
ascended tlie Mississippi to tlie Sioux in the
region about St. Anthony, with whom he con-
tinued to trade at intervals until 1702. His
last voyage was made from Louisiana, the
governor of Canada refusing permission, having
resolved to abandon the country west of Mack-
inaw. An attempt was made to renew the
traffic with the Sioux by this route in 172Y by an
expedition under the Sieur deLaPerriere, which
established a post and erected a stockade on
the north side of Lake Pepin. The traders
reached this point at intervals for a few years;
after which, it was entirely abandoned. These
are all the trustworthy accounts given of this
region during the French domination in the
northwest. Tliey show that tlie waters of tlie
Wisconsin and tlie Mississippi were traversed
at intervals, but do not indicate thai the lu.c.iliiy
of Praiiie du ("liicn was visited or attractccl
any attention, 'i'iiis nia\ 1 e ( X|)laiii((l in con-
nection with tlie causes that subst (jiniitly
bi'ought it into notice.
"In 1766, Jonathan Carver visited this icnion
with a view of ascertiining favorable situalions
for new settlements, and is the first traveler u Im
mentions Prairie du t'liien. He set out fioiii
Mackinaw, the most remote British post in the
northwest, in the month of September, in the
company of some traders. In passing down the
Wisconsin, he observed upon the right bank
about five miles above its mouth, at the eastern
base of a pyramid of rocks, the ruins of a vil-
lage of the Foxes, which had been abandoned
for the better location at the Prairie du
('liien. Here he found about 300 families in
houses well built after the Indian manner, and
jileasantly situated on a very rich soil, from
which the necessaries of life were raised in
abundance. The occupants had many horses of
good size and shape. The peculiarities of the
location are remarked, and the place is described
as a summer resort for traders, who were met
here annually about the month of May, by a
large assemblage of the Indian tribes, both near
and remote, with furs to dispose of, so that it
hail become a trading mart of considerable im-
poi tance. While here, the different tribes, even
though at war with each other, refrained from
any acts of liostility, a voluntary agreement
which they ever afterward observed. Some-
times, however, they proceeded to Mackinaw or
Louisiana before disposing of their furs. In
Carver's faithful and minute narrative, no men-
tion is made of any French settlement or other
white residents, or of fortifications, from which
circumstance it is highly probable that there
were none in existence. His book did not in-
duce the progress of settlement into this region,
and the British outposts were advanced no fur-
ther than Mackinaw, consetpiently, Prairie du
Chien is not again brought in notice by accounts
of that period, until 1780. In June of that year,
the traders had collected a lot of peltries, and
deposited them at the Prairie, in charge of
Charles de Langlade, a noted trader of Green
Bay and Mackinaw. The American forces then
occupied Illinois, and hearing reports that they
were intending the capture of Prairie du Chier,
the ciinunandant at Mackinaw, sent forward an
expedition to bring away the stores, in charge
of John Long, lieutenant in a company of trad-
ers enrolled as militia at that post. The party
consisting of twenty Canadians, and thirty-six
of the Fox and Sioux tribes, proceeded in nine
large birch canoes, laden with presents for tlie
Indians at the village. Arriving on the seventh
day at the mouth of the Wisconsin, they found
there an array of 200 Foxes on horseback,
armed with spears, bows and arrows, « ho
at first did not seem pleased with tlie visitors,
but after a short parley, conducted them to their
village, and feasted them upon dog, bear, bea-
ver, deer, mountain cat, and raccoon, boiled in
bear's grease, and mixed with huckleberries.
A council was then held, the presents were dis-
tributed, the chiefs assented to the removal of
the ])eltries, and the visitors re-entered their
canoes and moved up to the place of deposit, a
138
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
log house, where they found Capt. Langlade.
Three hundred packs of the peltries were placed
in the canoes, the remainder, some sixty in
number, they were unable to store away, and
therefore burned, after which they returned to
Mackinaw. The Americans never came, as an-
ticipated. The narrative shows no material
change in the place, or the course of trade since
Carver's visit, except that the traders from the
lakes had erected a building, in which their furs
could be temporarily lodged and guarded."
We find no further accounts of visits of trav-
elers until 17S0. At that date Capt. J. Long
while at Mackinaw was sent by the command-
ing officer to accompany a party of Indians and
Canadians to the Mississippi. Information had
been received at Mackinaw that the Indian
traders had deposited their furs at Prairie du
Chien, where there was a town of considerable
note, built under the command of Mons. Lang-
lade, the King's interpreter, and the object of
the expedition was to secure these furs and keep
them from the Americans. Capt. Long left
Mackinaw with thirty-six Indians of the Onta-
gamies and Sioux, twenty Canadians in nine
large birch canoes, laden with Indian presents.
The party arrived at Green Bay in four days
and proceeded through the Fox and Wisconsin
rivers to the forks of the Mississippi where
he met 200 of the Fox Indians, and had a
feast of five Indian dogs, bear, beaver, deer,
mountain cat and raccoon boiled in bear's grease
and mixed with hnckleberries! He proceeded to
Prairie du Chien where he found the merchants
peltries in packs in a log house, guarded by
Capt. Langlade and some Indians. He took
300 packs of the best skins and filled the canoes.
Sixty more were burnt to prevent the enemy
(the Americans) from taking them. He then
returned to Green Bay (in seventeen days) and
thence to Mackinaw.
Capt. Long's account of this trip written by
himself will be found in full in a subsequent
chapter.
It was nearly forty years subsequent to Car-
ver's visit before the Mississippi was ascended
by any one who left. a record of his journey.
In 1805 Maj. Z. M. Pike made a reconnoisance
up the river. We give his description of what
he saw as he passed from a point below the
mouth of the Wisconsin up to "a prairie called
La Crosse:"
Sept. 2, [1805], Monday.— After making two
short reaches, we commenced one, which is
thirty miles in length, the wind serving, we just
made it; and encamped on the east side oppo-
site to the mouth of Turkey river. In the
course of the day, we landed to shoot at pig-
eons; the moment a gun was fired, some Indi-
ans, who were on the shore above us, ran down
and put off in their peroques with great pre-
cipitation; upon which Mr. Blondeau informed
me, that all the women and children were
frightened at the very name of an American
boat, and that the men held us in great respect,
conceiving us very quarrelsome, and much for
war, and also very brave. This information I
used as prudence suggested. We stopped at an
encampment, about three miles below the
town, where they gave us some excellent ])lums.
They dispatched a peroque to the village, to
give notice, as I supposed, of our arrival. It
commenced raining about dusk, and rained all
night. Distance, forty miles.
September 3, Tuesday. — Embarked at a
pretty early hour. Cloudy. Met two peroques of
family Indians; they at first asked Mr. Blon-
deau, "if we were for war, or if going to war?"
I now experienced the good effect of lia\ itig
some person on board who could speak ilieir
language ; for they presented me with three
pair of ducks and a quantity of venison, suffi-
cient for all our crew, one day; in return, I
made them some trifling presents. Afterwards
met two peroques, carrying some of the war-
riors spoken of on the 2d inst. They kept at
a great distance, until spoken to by Mr. Blon-
deau, when tliey informed him that their ])arty
had proceeded up as high as Lake Pepin, with
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
189
out effecting anytliing. It is surprising what a
dread the Indians in this quarter have of the
Americans. I have often seen them go around
islands, .to avoid meeting iiiy boat. It appears
to mo evident, tiiat the traders have taken great
pains to impress upon the minds of the savages,
the idea of our being a very vindictive, fero-
cious and warlike people. This impression
was perhaps made with no good intention; but
wiien they find that our conduct towards them
is guided by magnanimity and justice, instead
of operating in an injurious manner, it will
have the effect to make them reverence, at the
same time they fear us. Distance, twenty-five
miles.
"September 4th, Wednesday. — Breakfasted
just below the mouth of the Wisconsin. Ar-
rived at the Prairie Les Chiens about 11 o'clock;
took quarters at Capt. Fishers, and were politely
received by him and Mr. Frazer.
"September 5th, Thursday. — Embarked about
half past 10 o'clock in a Schenectady boat, to go
to the mouth of the Wisconsin, in order to take
the latitude, and look at the situation of the
adjacent hills for a post. Was accompanied by
Judge Fisher, Mr. Frazer and Mr. Woods. We
ascended tlic hill on the west side of the Mis-
sissippi, and made a choice of a spot which I
thought most eligible, being level on the top,
liaving a spring in the rear, and commanding a
view of the country around. A shower of rain
came on which wet us, and we returned to the
village without having ascended the Wisconsin
as we intended. Marked four trees with A, B,
C, D, and squared the sides of one in the center.
Wrote to the General.
"September 6th, Friday. — Had a small council
with the Puants and Winnebagoes; and a cliief
of the lower band of the Sioux. Visited and
laid out a jxisition for a post, on a hill called
Petit (Tris, on the Wisconsin, tliree miles above
its mouth. Mr. Fisher accompanied me; was
taken very sick, in consequence of drinking
some water out of the Wisconsin. The Puants
never have any white interpreters, nor have the
FolleAvoine (Menoraonee) Nation. In my coun-
cil I spoke to a Frenchman, he to a Sioux, who
interpreted to some of the Puants.
"September 11^, Saturday. — My men beat all
the villagers hopping and jumping. Began to
load my new boats.
"September 8th, Sunday. — Embarked at half
past 11 o'clock in two batteaux. The wind fair
and fresh. I found myself very much embar-
rassed and cramped in my new boats, with
provision and baggage. I embarked two in-
terpreters, one to perform the whole voyage,
whose name was Pierre Rosseau, and the other
named Joseph Reinulle, paid by Mr. Frazer to
accompany me as high as the Falls of St.
Anthony. Mr. Frazer is a young gentleman,
clerk to Mr. Blakely, of Montreal; he was born
in Vermont, but has latterly resided in Canada.
To the attention of this gentleman I am much
indebted; he procured for me everything in his
power that I stood in need of; dispatched his
bark canoes and remained himself to go on
with me. His design was to winter with some
of the Sioux bands. We sailed well, came
eighteen miles and encamped on the w'est bank.
I must not omit here to bear testimony to the
politeness of all the principal inhabitants of the
village. There is, however, a material distinc-
tion to be made in the nature of those atten-
tions. The kindness of Messrs. Fisher, Frazer
and Woods (all Americans), seemed to be the
spontaneous effusions of good will, and partial-
ity to their countrymen; it extended to the
accommodation, convenience, exercises and
pastimes of my men; and whenever they
proved superior to the French openly showed
their pleasure. But the French Canadians ap-
peared attentive, rather from their natural good
manners, the sincere friendship; however, it
produced from them the same effect that natural
good-will did in others.
"September 9th, Monday. — Embarked early.
Dined at Cape Garlic or at Garlic river, after
which we came on to an island on the east side
about five miles below the river Iowa, and
140
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
encamped. Rained before sunset. Distance
twenty-eight miles.
"September 10th, Tuesday. — Rain still con-
tinuing, we remained at our camp Having
shot at some pigeons, the report was heard at
the Sioux lodges; when La Yieulle sent down
six of his young men to inform me that he had
waited three days with meat, etc., but last
night tliey had began to drink, and, that on the
next day he would receive me with his people
sober. I returned him for answer, that the
season was advanced, that time was pressing,
and that if the rain ceased, I must go on. Mr.
Frazer and the interpreter went home with the
Indians. We embarked about 1 o'clock.
Frazer returning, informed me that the chief
acquiesced in my reasons for pressing forward,
but that lie had prepared a pipe (by way of
letter) to present me, to show to all the Sioux
above, with a message to inform them that I
was a chief of their new fathers, and that he
wished me to be treated with friendship and
respect. * * * We embarked about half
past 3 o'clock, came three miles and encamped
on the west side. Mr. Frazer we left behind,
but he came up with his two pirogues about
dusk. It commenced raining very hard. In
the night a pirogue arrived at the lodges at
his camp. During our stay at their camp, tliere
were soldiers appointed to keep the crowd from
my boats. At my departure their soldiers said:
As I had shaken hands with their chief, tiny
mtist shake hands with my soldiers. In whicli
request I willingly indulged them.
"September 11th, Wednesday. — Embarked at
V o'clock, although raining. Mr. Frazer's
canoes also came on until 9 o'clock. Stopped
for breakfast and made a tire. Mr. Frazer staid
with me, and finding his pirogues not quite
able to keep up, he dispatched them. We em-
barked ; came on until near 6 o'clock, and en-
camped on the west side. Saw nothing of his
pirogues after they left us. Supposed to have
come sixteen miles this day. Rain and cold
winds, all day ahead. The river has never been
clear of islands since I left Prairie les Chiens.
I absolutely believe it, here, to be two miles
wide. Hills, or rather prairie knobs, on both
sides.
"September 12th, Thursday. It raining very
hard in the morning, we did not embark until
10 o'clock, Mr. Frazer's pirogues then com-
ing up. It was still raining and was very cold.
Passed the Racine river, also a prairie called La
Crosse, from a game of ball played frequently on
it by the Sioux Indians. This prairie is very
handsome; it has a small, square hill, similar to
some mentiojied by Carver. It is bounded in
the rear by hills similar to the Prairie les
Chiens. On this prairie Mr. Frazer showed me
some holes, dug by the Sioux, when in expecta-
tion of an attack, into which they first put their
women and children, and then crawl them-
selves. They were generally round, and about
ten feet in diameter; but some were half moons
and quite a breastwork. This I understood was
the chief work, which was the piincipal redoubt.
Their modes of constructing are, the moment
they apprehend or discover an enemy on a
prairie, they commence digging with their
knives, tomahawks and a wooden ladle ; and in
an incredibly short space of time they have a
hole sufficiently deep to cover themselves and
their family, from the balls ffr arrows of the
enemy. They have no idea of taking those sub-
terraneous redoubts by storm, as they would
probably lose a great nuluber of men in the
attack ; and althbugh they might be successful
in the event, it would be considered a very im-
prudent action. Mr. Frazer, finding his canoes
not able to keep up, staid at this prairie to or-
ganize one of them, intending then to overtake
us."
(OBSBEVATIONS OF MAJ. PIKE.)
"The village of the Prairie les Chiens is situ-
ated about one league above the mouth of the
Wisconsin river. » * * * The prairie on
which the village is situated is bounded in the
rear by high, bald hills. It is from one mile to
three-quarters of a mile from the river, and ex-
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
141
tends about eight miles from the Mississippi to
where it strikes the Wisconsin, at the Petit Gris,
wliich bears from the village southeast by east.
* * From the village to Lake Pepin we
have, on the west shore, first Yellow river,
about twenty yards wide, bearing from the
Mississippi nearly due west. Second, the Iowa
river, about 100 yards wide, bearing from the
Mississippi about northwest. Third, the Racine
river, about twenty yards wide, bearing from
the Mississippi nearly west, and navigable for
canoes sixty miles. Fourth, the rivers Embarra
and L'Eau Claire, which join their waters just
as they form a confluence with the Mississippi,
and are about sixty yards wide, and bear nearly
southwest.
"On the east shore, in the same distance, is
the river de la Prairie la Crosse, which empties
into the Mississippi, at the head of the prairie
of that name. It is about twenty yards wide,
and bears north-northwest.
"We then meet with the Black river. * *
* * In this division of the Mississippi the
shores are more than three-fourths prairie on
both sides, or, more properly speaking, bald
hills, which, instead of running parallel with
the river, form a continual succession of high,
perpendicular cliffs and low valleys ; they ap-
pear to head on the river, and to transverse the
country in an angular direction. Those hills
and valleys give rise to some of the most sub-
lime and romantic views I ever saw. But this
irregular scenery is sometimes interrupted by a
wide extended plain, which brings to mind the
verdant lawn of civilized life, and woiild almost
induce the traveler to imagine himself in the
center of a highly cultivated plantation. The
timber of this division is generally birch, elm
and Cottonwood, all the cliifs being bordered
by cedar."
Maj. S. II. Long having made a tour to the
portage of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, re-
turned to Prairie du Chien and made a voyage
to the Falls of St. Anthony, in a six-oared skiff,
accompanied by a Mr. Hempstead as interpret-
er, and by two young men named King and
Gunn, grandsons of Capt. Jonathan Carver,
who were going up to the Sauteurs to establish
their claim to lands granted by those tribes to
their grandfather. The day after his arrival,
(July 23, 1817,) he examined the country to
find a location better adapted for a post than
the present one, but did not succeed. While
liere he made excursions in the surrounding
country, and refers to the remains of ancient
earth-works above the mouth of the Wisconsin,
more numerous and of greater extent than had
heretofore been noticed. On the 25th he meas-
ured and planned Fort Crawford. He says it
is a square of 340 feet each side, of wood, with
a magazine 12x24 of stone — that it will accom-
modate five companies — block houses, two
stories high, with cupolas or turrets. The
building of the works was commenced July 3,
ISlC, by troops under command of Col. Hamil-
ton, previous to which time no timber had been
cut, or stone quarried for the purpose. He
says: "Exclusive of stores, workshops and
stables, the village contains only sixteen dwell-
ing houses, occupied by families. In the rear
of the village about three-quarters of a mile
are four others, two and a half miles above are
five, and at the upper end of the prairie are
four, and seven or eight scattered over the
prairie So that the whole number of family
dwellings now occupied does not exceed thirty-
eight. The buildings are generally of logs,
plastered with mud or clay, and he thinks the
village and inhabitants have degenerated since
Pike was here in )805. The inhabitants are
{)rincipally of French and Indian extraction.
One mile back of the village is the 'Grand
Farm,' an extensive enclosure cultivated by the
settlers in common. It is about six miles in
length, and one-quarter to one-half a mile in
width, surrounded by a fence on one side, and
the river bluffs on the other, thus secured from
the depredations of cattle." He speaks highly
of Capt. Duffhey, the commanding officer. He
says of the name of the village, it derives its
142
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
name from a family of Indians, formerly known
by the name of "The Dog," that the chief's
name was "The Dog." This family or band has
become extinct. Tlie following tradition con-
cerning them came to his knowledge: "That a
large party of Indians came down the Wiscon-
sin from Green Bay; that they attacked the
family or tribe of the "Dogs" and massacred
almost the whole of them and returned to
Green Bay; that the few who had .succeeded in
making their escape to the woods, returned
after their enemies had evacuated the prairie,
and re-established themselves in their former
place of residence, and that they were the Indi-
ans inhabiting the prairie at the time it was set-
tled by the French.
UP THE MISSISSIPPI IN 1819.
[From a "Journal of a Toyage from St. Louis to the Falls
of St. Anthony in 1819," by Maj. Thomas Forsyth, Indian
Agent. 1
I set out this morning with a view, if possi-
ble, to reach Prairie du Chien, but having no
wind in our favor, and current strong, we could
get no further than the mouth of the Ouiscon-
sin. Distance to-day, twenty-four miles.
Monday, July 5, 1819. — I arrived to-day at 9
A. M., at Prairie du Chien, and immediately the
wind sprang up and blew a fresh breeze. This
was vexing, as I had experienced five days ot
head winds successively. I found here, await-
ing my arrival, the Red Wing's son, a Sioux
Indian, who wished to be considered something,
with a band of followers. He invited me to a
talk, and after relating the loss of one of his
young men who was killed by the Chippewas,
he expressed a wish that I would take pity on
all present, and give them some goods. All
this was a begging speech. I told him that I
meant to go up with the troops to the river St.
Peter's, and on my way up I would stop at their
different villages, where I would speak to them,
and give them a few goods. Here I had noth-
ing to say, as I could not give any goods at
this place, because it required goods to give
weight to words, and make them understand
me well. Yet he is such a beggar, that he would
not take any refusal. I got up in an abrupt
manner and left him and band, to study awhile.
The Leaf, the principal chief of the Sioux, ar-
rived this evening.
Tuesday, 6th. — Ihe Kettle chief, with a
band of Foxes, arrived here to-daj', to make
arrangements with Mr. Partney about selling
him the ashes at the different mines. A boat
belonging to the contractor arrived to-day,
loaded with provisions for the troops, in twen-
ty-five days from Wood river.
Wednesday, 7th. — The contractor's boat left
this day to return to Wood river.
Thursday, 8th. — A young Folle Avoine (Me-
nomonee) stabbed a young Sioux in a fit of
jealousy to-day, near the fort. He was in
liquor.
Friday, 9th — The Sioux Indians yesterday
seized on the Folle Avoine Indian who had
stabbed the young Sioux, and kept him in con-
finement, well tied and guarded by a few young
Sioux; but the Sioux chiefs sent for the Folle
Avoine, and made him a present of a blanket
and some other articles of clothing, and made
him and the young Sioux whom he had stabbed
eat out of the same dish together, thus forgiving
and forgetting the past.
Sunday, 11th. — Everyday since my arrival at
this place, the wind has blown up the river;
to-day it came around south and with rain;
\\ ind settled at the northwest.
Monday, 12th. — The Red Wing's son is still
here a begging. He invited me to talk with
him in council yesterday. This I refused as I
did not wish to be troubled with such a
fellow.
Tuesday, 13th. — Much rain this morning;
wind southwest.
Wednesday, 14th. — Some Winnebagoes ar-
rived from headwaters of Rocky river, and por-
tage of Ouisconsin. These fellows are scien-
tific beggars. Wind north.
Thursday, 15th. — Yesterday evening the Red
Wing's son's band of Sioux Indians set out for
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
US
their liomes, and I am glad of it, for they are a
troublesome set of beggars. The wind blows
hard from the north to-day, which makes it much
cooler than it has been for many days before.
Friday, 16th, — The wind continues to blow
iiard from the north, and the weatlier is still
cool. Two men arrived this evening from
Green Bay in a canoe.
Saturday, 1 7th. — Mr. Boulhillier (Francois
Bouthillier) arrived here to-day from Green Bay.
Mr. Shaw also arrived here to-day from St.
Louis in a canoe, having left his horses at
Rocky Island. He informs me that he
left Belle Fontaine on the 15th ult., that the re-
cruits destined for the Mississippi set out on
the day before and may be expected shortly.
Sunday, 18th — Took a ride out in the coun-
try. Found some of the situations handsome,
bu' the farmers are poor hands at cultivation.
Flour, ^10 per cwt.; corn, $3 per bushel; eggs,
$1 per dozen; chickens,*!! to $1.25 a couple.
Butter, none made.
Monda' , 19th — A little rain, and cool all day.
Mr. Shaw left to-day to return home.
Tuesday, 20th — A little rain to-day.
Wednesday, 21st — Winds fair for boats com-
ing up the river, and little rain to-day.
Thursday, 22d — A fine wind up the river to-
day, with much rain. The old Red Wing, a
Sioux chief, with about twenty of his followers,
arrived to-day. This is another begging expe-
dition.
Friday, 23d — The wind is still up the river,
with some rain. The old Red Wing and I had
a long talk, and, as I supposed, the whole pur-
port was begging.
Saturday, 24th — Having heard much talk
about Carreis' claim to land at or near St.
Peter's river, and understanding that the Red
Wing knewor said something about it last year,
curiosity led me to make inquiries of him, having
now an opportunity. He told me he remem-
bered of hearing his father say that lands lying
on the west side of Lake Pepin, known by the
name of the old wintering places, were given to
an Englishman; that he is now an old man
(about sixty years of age), and does not, him-
self, remember the transactions. I wished to
continue the conversation, but the old man did
not like it and therefore I did not })ress it.
Sunday, 25th — Wind north and a warm day.
Monday, 26th — Capt. Hickman and family
left this place to-day in an open boat for ^^t.
Louis. Wind north, and another warm day.
Tuesday, 27th — Another warm day. No news
of any kind.
Wednesday, 28th — A boat arrived here from
Green Bay.
Thursday, 29th^ — This is the warmest day I
have experienced this season, although there
blew a hard wind up the river all day.
Friday, 30th — Yesterday evening the war party
of Foxes who had been on a hunt of some
of the Sioux of the interior, returned without
finding any. Much wind and rain this morning.
I returned Mr. Moore $3, which Mr. Aird gave
me last September to buy him some articles,
which could not be procured.
Saturday, 31st — Wind light up the river; no
boats, no recruits, no news, nor anything else
from St. Louis.
Sunday, August 1st — Maj. Marston set out to-
day early with twenty-seven troops in three
boats to garrison Fort Armstrong, at Rocky
Island. The boat which brought the settlers'
goods from Green Bay a few days since set out
to-day to return home. Some rain to-day;
weather warm.
Monday, 2d — Thank God! a boat loaded with
ordnance and stores of different kinds arrived
to-day, and said a provision boat would arrive
to-morrow, but no news of the recruits.
Tuesday, 3d — VVeather warm, with some
rain.
Wednesday, 4th — This morning the provision
boat arrived. No news from St. Louis. This
boat brings news of having passed a boat with
troops on board destined for this place. Some
of the men say two boats. Some rain to-day.
144
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
Thursday, 5tli — Much rain last night. Col.
Leavenworth is determined to set out on the 7th
if things can be got ready for the expedition to
St. Peter's. The colonel has very properly, in
my opinion, engaged the two large boats now
here, with as many men belonging to the boats
as will remain to accompany the expedition,
their contents being wanted for the new estab-
lishment at St. Peter's. Without the assistance
of these two boats, it would appear impossible
for the expedition to go on.
Friday, 6th — Yesterday evening some French-
men, who would not agree to go any further up
the Mississippi, set out for St. Louis in a bark
canoe. This morning eight discharged soldiers
set out from this place for St. Louis in a skiff.
Saturday, 7th — Every exertion was made to
get off to-day, but impossible. A fine wind up
the river.
Sunday, 8th — This morning the colonel told
me that he would be ready in an hour, and
about 8 o'clock we set out for river St. Peter's.
The troops consisting of ninety-eight rank and
file, in fourteen bateaux and two large boats
loaded with provisions and ordnance, and stores
of different kinds, as also my boat; and a barge
belonging to the colonel, making seventeen
boats; and in the whole ninety-eight soldiers
and about twenty boatmen. I felt myself
quite relieved when we got under way. We
made today eighteen miles.
From Schoolcrafts "Discovery of tlie Sources
of the Mississippi River," we extract the follow-
"At the rapids of Black river, which enters
opposite our encampment, a saw mill, we are
informed, had been erected by an inhabitant of
Prairie du Chien. Thus the empire of the arts
has begun to make its way into these regions,
and proclaims the advance of a heavy civiliza-
tion into a valley which has heretofore only re-
sounded to the savage war-whoop. Or, if a
higher grade of society and arts has ever before
existed in it, as some of our tumuli and antiqui-
ties would lead us to infer, the light of history
has failed to reach us on the subject.
"At the spot of our encampment, as soon as
the .shades of night closed in, we were visited
by hordes of ephemera. The candles lighted
in our tents became the points of attraction for
these evanescent creations. They soon, however,
began to feel the influence of the sinking of
the thermometer, and the air was imperceptibly
cleared of them in an hour or two. By the hour
of 'i o'clock the next morning (Aug. 5, 1820),
the expedition was again in motion descending
the river. It halted for breakfast at Painted
Rock, on the west shore. While this matter
was being accomplished, I found an abundant
locality of unios in a curve of the shore which
produced an eddy. Fine specimens of U. pifr-
pureus, elongatus and orbiculatus were obtained.
With the increased spirit and animation which
the whole party felt on the prospect of our ar-
rival at Prairie du Chien, we proceeded unre-
mittingly on our descent, and reached that place
at 6 o'clock in the evening.
"Prairie du Chien does not derive its name
from tlie dog, but from a noted family of Fox
Indians bearing this name, who anciently dwelt
here. The old town is said to have been about
a mile below the present settlement, which was
commenced by Mr. Dubuque and his associates
in 1783.* The prairie is most eligibly situated
along the margin of the stream, above wliose
floods it is elevated. It consists of a heavy
stratimi of diluvial pebbles and bowlders, which
is picturesquely bounded by lofty cliffs of the
Silurian limestones, and their accompanying
column of stratification. The village has the
old and shabby look of all the antique French
towns on the Mississippi, and in the great lake
basins; the dwellings being constructed of logs
and barks, and the court-yards picketed in,
as if lliey -nere intended for deience. It is
called Kipisagee by the Chi)ipewas and Algon-
quin tribes, generally meaning the place of the .
* This is shown in a subsequent chapter to be erroneous.
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
US
jet or overflow of the (Wisconsin) river. This,
in popular parlance, estimated to be 300 miles
below St. Peter's and 600 above St. Louis. f
Its latitude is 43 deg., 3 min., 6 sec. It is
the seat of justice of Crawford county, having
been so named in honor of W. H. Crawford,
secretary of the treasury of the U. S. It is,
together with all the region west of Lake Mich-
igan, att ched to the territory of Michigan.
There is a large and fertile island in the Missis-
sippi, opposite the place.
"We found the garrison to consist of a single
company of infantry, under the command of
Capt. J. Fowle, Jr.,* who received us courteous-
ly, and offered the salute due to the rank of His
Excellency, Gov. Cass. The fort is a square
stockade, with bastions at two angles. There
was found on this part of the prairie, when it
came to be occupied with a garrison by the
Americans, in 1819, an ancient platform-mound,
in an exactly square form, the shape and outlines
of which were preserved with exactitude by the
prairie sod. "This earthwork, the probable evi-
dence of a condition of ancient society, arts and
events of a race who are now reduced so low,
was, with good taste, preserved by the military
when they erected this stockade. One of the
ofticers built a dwelling house upon it, thus con-
verting it to the use, and probably the only use,
to which it was originally devoted. No nieas-
iirciiicnts h:ive been preserved of its original
condition; but judging from present appearances,
it must have squared seventy-five feet and have
hail an elevation of eight feet.
"I solicited permission of Gov. Cass to visit
the lead mines of Dubuque, which are situated
on the west bank of the Mississippi, at the com-
puted distance of twenty-five leagues below
Prairie du Chien. Furnished with a light canoe,
manned by eight voyugeurs, including a guide,
+ These distances are reduces by Cx. Di>c. 2jT, respectively
to aiO and .MS miles.
' This officer entered the army in 1812, serving with reputa-
tion. He rose through various grades of the service to the
ranli of Lieut. Col. of the flth infantry. He lost his life on
the:;.')thof .\pril, IKis, liy the e.v plosion of the steamer Moselle,
on the Ohio Kivcr.
I left the prairie at half-past 1 1 a. m., (Aug.
6), passed the entrance of the Wisconsin, on the
left bank, at the distance of a league.* Opposite
this point is the high elevation which Pike, in
1806, recommended to be occupied with h mili-
tary work. The suggestion has not, however,
been adopted; military men probably thinking
that however eligible the site might be for a
work where civilized Nations were likely to come
into contact, a simple style of defensive works
would serve the purpose of keeping the Indian
tribes in check. I proceeded nine leagues be-
low, and encamped at the site of a Fox villagef
located on the east bank, a mile below the en-
trance of 1'urkey river from the » est.
The village, consisting of twelve lodges, was
now temporarily deserted, the Indians being
probably absent on a hunt; but if so, it was re-
markable that not a soul or living thing was left
behind, not even a dog. My guide, indeed, in-
formed me that the cause of the desertion was
the fears entertained of an attack from the Sioux,
in retaliation for the massacre lately perpetrated
l)y them on the heads of the St. Peter's."
In 1823, Count Beltrami came up the Missis-
sippi on the steamer Virginia (118 feet long
and twenty-two feet wide) in the month of May,
and stopped at Prairie du Chien; among the
passengers were Maj. Biddle, Mr. Talliaferro,
and Lieut. Russel.
Maj. S. II. Long, U. S. A., the same 3'ear,
made his journey up the Mississippi by order
of the Government to discover the sources of
St. Peter's river. His ]);u-ty left Phila<lelpliia
for Fort Dearborn, Chicago, and thence by land
northwest through Illinois and wliat is now the
southwestern counties of Wisconsin to Prairie
du Chien, where they arrived on June 20 — found
Col. Morgan in command. The route taken
from Fort Dearborn is believed to be the first
* It was at this spot. 137 years ago, that .Marquette and M.
Joliet. coming fnun the lakes, discovered the Mi,«sissippi.
+ Now the site of Ca.'<sville. Grant Co., Wis. It is a post
town, pleasantly sitnated.with a population of SOO.
146
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
that ever was taken by the whites, the journey
occupied nine days, traversing 228 miles. He
says that there were about twenty dwellings
witli a population of 150. The Fort, he says, is
the rudest and most uncomfortable lie had ever
seen. The site is low and unpleasant. He re
fers to the ancient mounds in the vicinity which
have been heretofore described. The party
were here re-inforced, and proceeded up the
river. There were but few Indians here at the
time.
Col. T. L. McKenney, one of the commission-
ers to treat with the Indians at Butte des Morts,
came up the Fox river and down the Wisconsin
to Prairie du Chien, arriving at this place, Sep-
tember '^, 1827. He says: "The buildings are
old and in a state of decay, only two good
houses, RoUette's and Judge Lockwood's, about
100 decaying tenements, the picket fort stand-
ing on the plain a little north of the village,
[where the Dousman residence now(1884)stands]
and quite a ruin."
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
U1
CHAPTER V.
THE WAR OF 1812-15.
Singularly enough, what is now Crawford
county has been the theatre of stirring incidents
in four wars: The Revolution, the War of
1812-15, the Winnebago War, and the Black
Hawk War. The data for what transpired here
during the Revolution are exceedingly vague
and shadowy excepting only that a detachment
of soldiers came up the river to the " prairie,"
in 1780, and destroyed a warehouse and some
fifty packs of furs belonging to British traders.
That these soldiers were a detachment from
George Rogers Clark's force at the Illinois
towns seems altogether probable; nevertheless
it must rest upon probability alone, as there is
no positive evidence extant that such was the
case. Dismissing thus summarily the Revolu-
tion, we proceed to notice, in so far as Crawford
county was concei'ned,
THE LAST WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
On the 18th of June, 1812, the declaration of
war against Great Britain was made by Con-
gress. The protection of this part of our fron-
tiers was considered of great importance to our-
selves, as its possession was to the British. In
the summer of 1814, the Government authori-
ties at St. Louis fitted out a large keel-boat,
made bullet proof, and sent it with what men
could be spared, under command of Lieut. Per-
kins, to occupy Prairie du Chien. The troops
built a stockade ujion a mound, the present
site of the Dousman residence. Its ])rovisions
for defense consisted of four small iron cannon
besides the small arms of the garrison. The
provisions and ammunition remained on the boat
for want of convenient accommodations in the
fort. The British traders of Mackinaw finding
their communication with tiie ^Mississippi inter-
rupted, planned the capture of the post. A
strong expedition was fitted out and jjlaced un-
der command of Lieut. Col. William McKay, a
member of the Northwest Fur Company, an en-
terprising man and resolute officer. He was
given two companies of militia, formed among
the employees of the traders. One of these
companies wa« commanded by Joseph Rolette,
of Prairie du Chien. About eighteen re^jular
troops, under Capt. Fchlman, were assigned to
the command, and Col. Dickson furnished Mc-
Kay a part of his Indian force, numbering
about 200 Sioux and 100 Winnebago warriors,
and at Green Bay he was joined by about thirty
militia and 100 Menomonees and Chippewas.
The force now numbered about 1.50 whites and
400 Indians. Proceeding in boats up Fox river
and down the Wisconsin, when within twenty-
one miles of the prairie, Michael Brisbois and
Augustin Grignon were dispatched in advance
to procure information, and returned with the
report that the garrison numbered about sixty.
The invaders reached the vicinity of the fort,
unperceived, about 10 o'clock Sunday morning,
July 17, when its officers were upon the point
of taking a ride into the country.
As soon as the British and Indians were dis-
covered, the citizens left their houses and
retired, some to the stockade, but tlie majority
to the country. Col. McKay made an impos-
ing display of his forces, invested the fort
above and below, and summoned it to sur-
render. Lieut. Perkins promptly refused, where
148
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
Tipon some forty of the Green Bay militia
and Menomonees gained the island in front of
the village and in the rear of the gun-boat, to
annoy it while the besiegers opened on it from
the land side with a brass six-pounder. One of
these shots striking the boat, caused a leakage
which, toward sundown, induced Capt. Yeiser,
its commander, to swing her round and
move down stream. The garrison called on
her to stop, and, being unheeded, fired a shot to
bring her round, but without effect. She es-
caped down the river, igiiominiously leaving
the garrison almost destitute of provisions and
ammunition. Meanwhile, the besiegers directe 1
an irregular tire of small arms against the fort,
which was occasionally returned, but without
effect on either side. The second day was
spent by the besiegers in counselling,and doing
some shooting at long range. That night
some of the Indians commenced to mine from
the bank of the river, but their progress toward
the stockade was so slow that they soon gave it
up. The third day passed as inactively as the
second. The fourth day McKay prepared to
fire the fort with hot shot, to be followed by
an assault, when a white flag was raised, and
two officers went out and agreed on a surrender
of the post and stores, the garrison to retire un-
molested down the river. The formal sur-
render was made the next morning. Strict
orders were given the Indians against molest-
ing the disarmed garrison, and an attempt by
one of the Sioux to strike a soldier, was
promptly punished by a knock down from the
war club of a chief. McKay had, however,
some trouble in preventing the Indians, es-
pecially the Winnebagoes, from plundering the
settlers, who had by this time returned to their
homes. After several days the prisoners were
dispatclied down the river, escorted by a squad
under charge of Michael Brisbois. The Mack-
inaw forces then withdrew, leaving Capt.
Pohlman in command of the stockade, which
was named Fort McKay, and was garrisoned
chiefly by militia, enrolled among the inhabi-
tants of the village, until the following year,
when, upon the ratification of peace, the British
commander withdrew from the place.
Such, in brief, is the history of the war as en-
acted in what is now Crawford county. From
it, only a general idea can be had of the many
stirring events which transpired on the
"prairie" during that war. Additional particu-
lars are demanded at our hands, and we append,
therefore, a recital of every event thought
worthy of preservation.
Concerning McKay's expedition, James H.
Lock wood says:
"At this time [Sept. 1S16] at Prairie du
Chien the events of the War of 1812 in this
quarter were fresh in the minds of every one.
I learned that in the spring or summer of 1814,
the United States government sent boats, made
bullet proof, under a captain Yeiser, who was
in command of the boats, and a company of
United States troops, under Lieut. Perkins,
to take and retain possession of Prairie du
Chien. Perkins built a stockade on a large
mound, on which Col. Dousman's house now
stands, and Capt. Yeiser remained on board
the boats where most of the ammunition
and provisions were stored as there was no
room for them within the stockade.
"Soon after the breaking out of the war,
when the American ofticers in garrison at
Mackinaw, and the citizens of that place were
yet ignorant of the commencement of hostilities,
but apprehensive that war had been declared,
some traders were dispatched to the old British
post and settlement of St. Josephs, on the east-
ern shore of Lake Michigan, for intelligence.
As none of the traders returned, remaining
absent so much longer than was deemed nec-
essary, it naturally enough excited the sus-
picions of the commanding oflicer and the
principal citizens of Mackinaw. Under the
circumstances, a council was held, at which it
was determined that immediate information-
must be had from St. Josephs, and the question
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
149
then was, who could go there and not be sus-
pected of being a spy. After looking around
and finding none qualified to go, the late Michael
Dousraan, of Mackinaw, said that he had an
outfit in Lake Superior that ought, by that
time, to be at St. Josephs, and he thought that
he could go there and look after his properlj-
without being suspected. Accordingly he vol-
unteered his services, and late in the afternoon
he left Mackinaw for St. Josephs in a canoe.
About dark, at Goose island, fifteen miles
from Mackinaw, he met the British troops on
their way to that place, who took him prisonei',
but released him on his parole that he would
go back to Mackinaw, and not give the garrison
any information of what he had seen, but col-
lect the citizens together at the old still-house
on the southern side of the island, where a
guard would be immediately sent to protect
them from the Indians. This promise Mr.
Dousman faithfully performed, and was prob-
ably the ciuse of saving many an innocent
family from being brutally murdered by the
savages. The British arrived, planted their
cannon during the night, and in the morning
sent in to the commanding ofticer a copy of the
declaration of war, with a demand for him to
surrender, which he complied with.
"'JMie traders in the British interest, resorting
to Mackinaw as the British headquarters of the
northwest, learning of the American occujjation
of Prairie du Cliien in 1814, and anticipating,
that so long as this force should remain there,
they would be cut off from the trade of Prairie
du Chien, its dependencies, and the Sioux
country, at once set on foot an expedition for
the re-capture of that place. The British
officers and traders accordingly fitted out an ex-
jicdition under the command of Col McKay, of
the Indian department, an old trader; and
under him were, a sergeant of artillery with a
brass six pounder, and three or four volunteer
companies of the Canadian voyaf/etirs, com-
manded by traders and officered by their clerks,
all dressed in red coats, with probably 100
Indians, officered by half breeds.* Having
made a secret march they arrived on the prairie
without being expected, and made the best dis-
play of red coats and Indians that they could.
They made a formidable show, and the Ameri-
cans not knowing of what materials they were
composed, and supposing they were all British
regulars, appeared to have been panic-struck.
The sergeant had brought his field piece so
well to bear that lie hit one of the boats, I be-
lieve the one Yeiser was in. During this time
the troops and Indians had made a move to-
wards the fort, but keeping out of gun shot.
On the boat being hit, Capt. Yeiser had the
cable cut, and swung round down the river,
ordering the others to do the same, carrying
with them the provisions and ammunition of
the garrison. After the boats had gone, Col.
McKay summoned the fort to surrender, and
having neither provisions nor ammunition they
had no otheralternative, and accordingly sur-
rendered. The British took and kept posses-
sion of Prairie du Chien until ]>cace, in 1815,
thus opening the Indian trade to the traders at
Mackinaw. The inhabitants of Prairie du
C'hien being British subjects, were ordered into
service by the British government to do duty
in the garrison during the war. The British
sergeant of artillery for hitting the keel-boat,
was promoted by his government."
grignon's rkcoi.i.ections.
Col. McKay came with his force in boats to
Green Bay, where he tarried awhile to increase
his numbers, and make all necessary prepara-
tions. A company of the Green Bay militia, of
about thirty persons, and many of them old
men unfit for service, was raised; of which
Pierre Grignon was the captain, and Peter
Powell and myself (Augustus Grignon,) the
lieutenants. At the bay, James J. Porlier, a
youth of some eighteen years, and son ' of
•There werp at lenst l.(K)0 Indinns under Col, McKay, as
stated in the iiccouiits of the time, and not legs than three
pieces of light artillery.
150
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
Jacques Porlier, was commissioned a lieutenant
in the rea;ulars, and joined Polilman's company.*
Here about .seventy-five Menoraonees, under
Ma-clia-nah, or the Hairy Hand; I-om-e-tah,
Kish-kon-nau-kau-hom, or the Cutting off; and
Tamah's son, Mau-kau-tau-kee, and a party of
about twenty-five Chippewas, mixed with the
Menomonees, joined the expedition. Our entire
force now consisted of 400 Indians and 150
whites — such was the understanding at the
time; if the newspapers of that day represented
it much larger, it was for effect on the pirt of
the British to impress the Americans with an
idea of their great strength in the northwest;
and on the part of the Americans, in palliation
of their loss at Prairie du Chien.
At length the expedition moved forward up
Fox river, the whites in six boats or barges and
the Indians in canoes, and carrying their craft
over the Portage, they descended the Wiscon-
sin. Reaching the old, deserted Fox village, on
the Wisconsin, twenty-one miles from Prairie
du Chien, the force stopped, while Michael
Brisbois, myself, a Sioux and a Winnebago In-
dian were dispatched to Prairie du Chien in
the night to obtain a citizen and bring him to
Col. McKay, from whom to obtain intelligence.
Descending the river to where the ferry has
since been located, some five or six miles from
Prairie du Chien, we went thence across by land
and reached the place without difiiculty. We
saw the sentinel on duty at the fort. We went
to Antoine Brisbois, the uncle of Michael
Brisbois, of one party, who lived three miles
above the town, and took him to where we left
our canoe at the ferry place, then called Petit
Gris. There we awaited the arrival of Col.
McKay and his force and they made their ap-
pearance the next morning, when the sun was
about an iiour iiigh. Antoine Brisbois reported
the American strength in the garrison at sixty.
*This was the only military service of J. J. Porlier, who re-
moiuetl with his company all winter: and the next year,
when peace was proclaimed, Capt. Pohlman evacuated Fort
McKay at Prairie du Chien, and returned with his company
to Mackinaw. Porlier then left the service, enj^aged in trade
at Green Bay, raised a family and died at Grand Kau-kau-
Jin in 1838,
We then continued down to the mouth of
the Wisconsin, and thence up almost to Prairie
du Chien through a channel or bayou between a
continuous number of islands imd the Missis-
sippi. We reached the town about 10 o'clock
unperceived. As this was Sunday and a very
pleasant day the officers of the garrison were
getting ready to take a pleasure ride into the
country, and liad McKay been an hour or two
later, the garrison would have been caught
without an officer.*
Nicholas Boilvin had directed a man named
Sandy to go out and drive up his cattle, as he
wished to kill a heifer that day, and have some
fresh meat. Sandy went out and soon discov-
ered the British approaching, and knew from
the red coats worn by the regulars and Capts.
Rolette and Anderson, for none of the rest had
any, and the dozen British flags displayed by
the Indians, that it was a British force. Sandy
returned cooly to Boilvin and said there wei'e
"lots of red cattle" at such a place, and invited
him to go with him and see. Boilvin went and
scarcely crediting his own eyes, asked earnestly
"What is that?" "Why, it is the British!" re-
plied Smdy; when Boilvin, who was the
American Indian agent at Prairie du Chien,*
hastened to h s house and C'H veyed his family
and valuables 'o the gun-boat for safety. All
the citizens now left their houses and fleil from
the impending danger, some to the fort, but
mostly to the country.
* Joseph Crelee, of Portage, was then an inhabitant of
Prairie du Chien and oorroliorates Mr. Grignon in this part
of his narrative: stating-, without knowing that Mr. Griguon
had done the same, that the English made their appearance
on Sunday, and that he, C'relec, had loaned his horse and
wagon to one of the olficcrs,who were generally preparing to
go a riding into thecountrv: and that if Col. McKay had
l)een an hour later there would not have been an American
otticer in the garrison. Upon the alarm being given, Crelee,
with many others, tied to the fort, and he shaied in the de-
fense until the surrender. It may further be added that the
newspapers of that day state that Col. McKay made his ap-
pearance at Prairie du Chien on the ITth of .luly, 1SI4, and
the 17th of July in that year occurred on Sunday.
* Boilvin's father, during the Keyolutionary War re-
sided at Quebec, and was there very kind and humane to a
wounded American surgeon, who had been taken prisoner;
and when exchanged, the elder Boilvin gave him money to
carr.v him home. After the war, Nicholas Boilvin came west
as an Indian trader, and did not succeed; and fortunately
meeting the old surgeon at St. Louis, whom his father had
befriended, the surgeon succeeded in getting Boilvin ap-
pointed Indian agent.
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
151
Upon arriving at the town, making a very
formidable display for that quiet place Rolette
and Anderson, with their companies, the Sioux
and Winnebago Indians, were directed to take
post above the fort, while Col. McKay himself,
with the Green Bay company, the regulars, the
Menomonees and Chi]>pewas, encompassed it
below. A flag was sent in, borne by Capt.
Thomas Andenson, demanding the surrender of
the garrison, with which demand Lieut. Per-
kins, the commandant of the post, promptly
declined to comply. The six-pounder, under
the management of the regulars, was now
brought to bear on the gun-boat of the Ameri-
cans; the first shot, however, fired by the six-
l)ounder, was a blank charge, intended as a sort
of war-flourish or bravado. But our men did
not take a very near position; I should say they
were lialf a mile from the gun-boat, if not
more, and hence the firing upon the boat by the
cannon, and the firing by guns or cannon from
the boat, was generally iiiefFictnal. When the
firing first commenced on the gun-boat, Capt.
Grignon, with a part of his company and sev-
eral iNIenomonees, some thirty or forty alto-
gether, were directed to cross the river in two
boats, and take a position on land so as to
annoy and aid to drive oif tie gun-boat, the po-
sition of which was at first near the middle of
the stream, but when fired upon, had moved
over nearer the western shore. During the
day the gun-boat was at least once or twice
struck by the balls of the six-pounder, and
caused a bad leakage, whicli, when the sun was
about half an hour high, induced its com-
m.inder to move down stream. Seeing this
movement, the Americans in the fort called out
to them not to go off; but this being unheeded,
they fired their cannon at the boat to stop it.
Meanwhile Capt. Grignon and his party over
the river* had been annoying the boat. As the
* The newspapers of that ilay. aiirl McAfee's ITietory of the
War iti tile WcstiM'ii Country, unite in statin? tliat tliis party
bad taken position on an island opposite to Prairie dti
Chien. eovered with timber, whieh served to screen them
from the shots of the gun-boat. This appears (|Uitc prob-
able.
boat passed down the river, one six-pounder
was made three times to hit her, twice on the
side :ind once in the stern, but it soon got be-
yond our reach. Had we manned some of our
boats and pursued, we could undoulitedly have
taken it, as we afterward learned that it leaked
so b.adly that the Americans had to stop at the
nioutli of the Wisconsin and repair it. The
only injury the firing of the gun-boat did was a
ball, before noon, striking a fence post, some of
the slivers of which inflicted a flesh wound in the
thigh of one of the Menomonees.
While this contest was progressing with the
gun-boat, McKay's party of whites and Indians,
on all sides of the fort, kept up an irregular
firing of small arms, which, from their great
distance from the fort, was harmless; and thus
if they did no harm, they were out of the way
of receiving any in turn. At length towards
noon, Col. McKay ordered his men to advance
over the Marais St. Freol, a swampy spot, and
lake position much nearer the fort — not more
ihan a quarter of a mile distant. This was
obeyed by those on the lower side of the fort,
vho had a sufliciency of houses to shield them
from the guns of the garrison. From this new
position, the firing was somewhat increased; but
the men under Rolette and Anderson, with
the Sioux and Winnebagoes, on the upper side
of the fort, kept at a safe distance, fully hal/ a
mile off, but they reallj' needed no protection
at that distance against small arms. In tlie
fort were four iron cannon, somewhat larger
than six-pounders, and these were occasionally
fired.* Whenever Capt. Rolette would see the
flash of the cannon, he would give the rather
unmilitary order of "Down, my men, down!"
A couple of Winnebagoes discovering that
there were some hams in a house, which had
been deserted, and to which they could not
gain an entrance, mounted upon the roof, in-
tending to tear off some shingles, when they
♦Probably there was not much ammunition in the fort, and
they wished to he sparlnir of it, for closer action, if it
sho'uld como to that; for it has been slated, that thetrun-boat
contained the maKa/.inc of powder, ami that had departed.
10
152
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
were espied from the fort, and each wounded in
the thigh, when they quiclily retreated from
their exposed situation.
The second day the men and Indians amused
themselves with some long shooting, but Col.
McKay and his officers spent the day in conn-
gelling as to the best course of procedure. It
was pretty much resolved to make an assault,
and towards evening assembled the leading
Indian chiefs, and laid the plan of an assault be-
fore them, when the Winnebago chief Sar-cel,
or The Teal, remarked that he and his people
remembered too well taking part with the Sha-
wanoes in assaulting an American fort, and
were beaten back with terrible slaughter, —
probably alluding to the attack on Fort Re-
covery,* in Wayne's Indian war in 1793, — and
they would not like to resort to so hazardous
an experiment; but proposed a better and safer
way — to spring a mine from the river bank and
blow up the garrison. Col. McKay did not
waste words unnecessarily, but simply replied,
"Go at it." Teal and his Winnebogoes spent a
part of the evening digging but found their
progress in undermining was slow, and after
penetrating a dozen or fifteen feet, they gave it
up as a bad job. As the fort was several hun-
dred feet from the river bank, it would have
been an interminable operation for the Indians
to have attempted to prosecute their scheme to
completion.
Nothing of moment occurred the third day, —
as usual some little firing was done. Col.
McKay sent into the country about three miles
for a load of straw, which was made up into
small bundles to have in readiness to place in
the darkness of night, with kegs of powder near
the fort, and fire a train of straw leading to the
powder, and thus make a breach in the enclos-
ure. But this was only designed as a dernier
resort. During this day or the preceding one,
♦ Pe-sheu, or the Wild Cat, and Sar-cel, once got into a
wrangle in which their bravery was called in question, when
Pe-sheu put a clincher by saying to Sar-cel, "Don't you re-
member the time we aided the Shawanoes in attacking the
fort, that you ran o£f so fast that you lost your breech-
cloth?"
a Fox Indian received a spent ball which
lodged between his scalp and skull; it was cut
out, and the wound was so slight as to prove no
obstacle to his sharing in the further events of
the siege.
The fourth day Col. McKay resolved to ac-
complish something more decisive. About
3 o'clock in the afternoon, with his troops
properly stationed, and cannon balls heated red
hot in a blacksmith's forge, I was sent to go
round and specially direct the interpreters to
order the Indians not to fire on the fort till the
cannon should commence playing the hot shot,
and the fort should be set on fire; then to use
their muskets as briskly as possible. Scarcely
had these directions been given, when the
Americans, probably seeing from indications
that a severe assault of some kind was about to
be made, raised the white flag. Two officers
now came out and met Col. McKay — strict or-
ders having been given to the Indians not to
fire on these Americans, on the pain of being
themselves fired on by the British troops.
The result wns, a surrender was agreed on; Col.
McKay should have possession of the fort and
public stores, and the Americans be permitted
to retire unmolested in boats down the river.
By this time it was too late to go through with
a formal surrender, which was postponed till
the next morning.
A little before the appointed time to give up
their arms, one of the Winnebagoes seeing a sol-
dier in the fort, made a motion to him to shake
hands; the soldier reached his hand through a
port-hole, when the Winnebago seized it and
cut off one of his fingers, and ran off with his
singular trophy. As Lieut. Perkins and his
men marched out from the fort to lay down
their arms, a Sioux warrior attempted to strike
one of the soldiers, when a chief, a son-in-law of
Wau-ba-sha V, knocked down his treacherous
countryman with his war-club. Col. McKay
had given such strict orders to the Indians
against raassacreing or molesting the Americans,
and to the regulars and militia to keep the In-
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
153
dians in awe, that nothing more, so far as I
know, transpired, tliat had the least appearance
of treachery on the part of the Indians.
When the American flag was hauled down.
Col. McKay was the first to observe the singular
fact, that though it was completely riddled else-
where with balls, the representation of the
American eagle was untouched. The Indians,
during the whole four days had directed many
shots at the flag and had shot off one of the
cords, which let the banner part way down the
flag staff, and there it remained till the surren-
der. The flag staff was planted near the center
of the fort.
Several days elapsed before arrangements
were completed by which to send the prisoners
down the river. When they took their depart-
ure, they escorted Michael Brisbois, with a
suitable guai'd, but I do not know how large a
guard, as I h i<l [ireviously left. I understood
C'ol. McKay gave the Americans their arms as
they started down the river; bui I have no
knowledge of llicir Vx'ing followed by the In-
dians.
Capt. Pohlmin, with his regulars, reni.iiiied
in command, with the two Mackinaw conipaiiu >
under Cipt. Anderson and Lieut. Duncan Gra-
ham, wiio was now promoted to the ca])taincy
of his company, as Capt. Rolette had bee^i sent
with dispatches to Mackinaw immediately after
the surrender.
McKay had much difliculty in managing his
Sioux and Winnebago allies, particularly the
latter. At the first investment of the place,
when these Indians were placed with the Mack-
inaw militia above the fort, they had in the most
wanton manner, sIkU down a number of horses
and cattle belonging to the citizens, much to the
regret and ve.\ation of the British commander;
and after tiie surrender, the Winnebagoes
swarmetl arouiul among the settlers, to openly
plunder them of anything they might desire;
and McKay was under the necessity of threat-
ening to turn his troops against them, if they
did not instantly desist, and go off home. The
Indians once off. Col. McKay, the Green Bay
troops, Menomonees and Chippewas took their
departure.
Capt. Rolette at length with his boat liove
in sight of Mackinaw. Large numbers thronged
the shore, anxiously waiting to learn the^ti-
dings from Prairie du Chien. '•Capt.;_Rolette,
what is the news?" "A great battle — a sanguin-
ary contest," responded Rolette, with an air of
great solemnity and importance. "How many
were killed?" "Nh7ie/" "How many wounded?"
^^None/" "What a bloody contesti" vociferously
shouted the crowd, as they «scorled the hero
from the boat to the garrison.
Capt. Pohlman continued in command at Prai-
rie du Chien till after the peace, which ensued
the following year, when the fort was evacuated.
I may mention one incident of the winter after
my departure. A couple ot Frenchmen, named
Dubois and Chaupanie, the former a half-breed
Sioux, and brother-in-law of ('apt. Rolette, were
sent to a Sioux camp to obtain some venison for
Rolette. While at the camp, a Sioux Indian
demanded first, a gun, and then some ammiini-
inii, which being refused, he concluded to ac.
company them on their return to Capt. Rolette,
siying that Rolette would let him have what lie
wanted. While the two men were asleep before
their camp-fire in the night, the Sioux, wlio lay
on the opposite side of the fire, got up, took the
only gun, and shot them both at the same dis-
charge, killing Chau])anio on the spat, and mor-
tally wounding the other. The Indian now ran
off, and Dubois, though distant a day's journey,
reached Prairie du Chien, and died sliortly afier.
The Sioux chief of that band was taken and de-
tained till the murderer was broiyifht in, who
was tried and shot. He was a bad Indian, and
was much feared by his own people.
Of Col. McKay, I can only state in addition,
that after the war he retired to Montreal,
where he long since ended his daj-s. He was a
fine looking, tall, well i)roportioned man, but
was regarded as strict, and sometimes severe
over those in his em])loy in the Indian trade.
154
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
I knew Col. Robert Dickson from his first com-
ing from England, as I think, and engaging in
the Indian trade. He commenced his career as
a trader about the year 1790, and traded princi-
pally with the Sioux, and continued till the war ;
after the war he did not renew the business.
He was very humane to American prisoners
during the war, rescuing many from the Indians;
and in after years he several times received let-
ters from such, enclosing, presents of money, as
tokens of their gratitude. He was a large man,
of full face, tall and commanding. He had a
Sioux wife and four children.
Anderson's journal, 1814.*
Wednesday, August 10, 1814.— Col. McKay
set off at 10 o'clock in the morning; would
not allow any guns to be fired. In the after-
noon a few Renards (Foxes) arrived from the
Riviere au D'Inde, and brought word that they
had seen the two barges that had went adrift
from this place. The Tonnerre Noir, or Black
Thundei', a Yankee Indian passed on his way
above, unperceived.
Thursday, August 11. — Gave out some few
articles of goods to the Michigan Volunteers,
by Col. McKay's orders previous to leaving.
Gave out twelve carrots of tobacco to be dis-
tributed among the troops in general. Tliis
was done because it is customary to allow the
people of this place to smoke as a preventive
to sickness. The want of provisions obliges
me to give every assistance to the farmers to get
in their grain as fast as possible. I, therefore,
allow all the volunteers that are not on duty,
to go and work for them in the day-time. Em-
ployed the sergeant of artillery men, with some
of the Michigans, in making leaden three-pound
balls. Appointed a patrol to go about at night
in order to detect stragglers, if any such per-
sons should be found, that they may give an
account of themselves.
* ' 'Journal of the Proceedings at Fort McKay from the
Beparture of Lieut. Col. McKay, for Mackinaw, compre-
hending the particulars of every occurring- circumstance in
and out of the Fort, within the vicinity of Prairie du Chien."
By Capt.T. G Anderson.
Friday, August 12. — Sent off twelve men
with an interpreter, and two Indians for the
barges that drifted away from this place. One
of the volunteers by the name of Aslin, hav-
ing refused to go on fatigue, and having ab-
sented himself without leave, I put in close
confinement, and allow him one and one half
pounds of bread, and two quarts of water per
day, till further orders. At 3 in the after-
noon, eight canoes of Renards came, and landed
at the entrance of the Marais, a little below the
Prairie. From there the chief with another
came up and asked leave to offer some scalps
they had brought. I gave them leave, and they
returned for their canoes. This being the
Prince Regent's birthday, put off jiracticiug at
the cannon till to-morrow. The small store of
powder we have here, prevented our firing the
customary salute on this day. At 4, the
canoes arrived, and asked to speak with me. I
told the Indians to repair to the house lately
belonging to Mr. Boilvin. The head man, not
a chief, got up and gave me his hand, saying :
"My father, we are ashamed-to present you with
these scalps (holding four scalps in his hand,)
because we did not kill them ourselves ; but got
three of them from our friends, the Sauks, and
one we picked up on our way here — a man, that
we supposed your guns had killed, in the gun-
boat where you fought ; he was lying on a sand
bank." Then presenting me with a few articles
of American clothing, said : "We give you
these things, to wish you a good day, as they
came from the enemy, hoping you will give us
Kome assistance." Another Indian rising and
showing me his leather breech-cloth : " Mv
father, I beg of you some little assistance ; you
see iiow miserable I am off, being obliged to
wear a leather petticoat."
To these requests I gave the following an-
swer : "I am happy to see you, but am much
chagrined that I have not a mouthful of provis-
ions to give you. As Tor powder, toliacco, and
goods, you need not speak of these articles, for
your father" (alluding to C'ol. McKay,) "after
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
155
the battle of the Rapids, and previous to liis
departure gave to the Sauks and Renards twenty
kegs of gunpowder and fourteen bales of goods
to be distributed among sucb Indians of these
Nations as we knew to be good subjects, and
must support. But in the space of twenty or
twenty-five days there will be a strong re-in-
forcement of troops here, and plenty of amnui-
nition and other goods. Those Indians that
merit support, will have it amply ; but those
that are attached to the Americans, as many of
the Renards are, will be treated as we treat bad
dogs."
At half past 4 o'clock Lieut. Urisbois arrived,
having been below the rapids of the Riviere des
Moines, with theprison"rs. He brought nothing
new. At sun-down the fatigu;- party I sent for
the barges arrived, with the two barges, having
received no injury.
Saturday, August 13, 1 p. m. — A Sioux canoe
arrived from above, bringing word that Feuille's
band, in diiuking their rum, fought much, but
witliout anus, among themselves. They were
about to'kill the Aile Rouge, or Red Wing,
but he ran away. At 4, the Renards, that gave
me four scalps yesterday, assembled, and re-
quested of me to return them the scalps, ob-
serving that they were the enemies' scalps that
we had killed with our little cannon ; but that
I did not want such trophies, as we never took
off the scalps of our enemies. Speaking of their
loyalty, I answered them that it was not possi-
ble to depend upon their Nation in general ;
that I knew that there were some good subjects
among them, but many bad ones. That when
they saw Robert Dickson, how they came and
cried to him for support ; and as soon as their
English Father was fond of his children he
always assisted them ; but their jnisfortune
was, that as soon as his back was turned, and
they saw the Americans, some among them im-
mediately raised their war clubs over our heads.
I am sorry to speak to you in this way, but
necessity requires it, as I do not know the good
from the bad. When your English Father
speaks to his well-known good children, he
does it with an open hand and heart ; but when
lie knows he speaks to bad subjects, he does it
with an arm in his hand. But the time is
drawing near when a fire will be kindled, as in
a meadow where there are stout trees. The
bad hay will be burned down, and the fire will
protect the stout trees and leave them to grow
without being annoyed.
Sunday, August l'^ 12 o'oclock. — Went out
to the farms to inquire about mills, in order to
get some fiour made immediately. The mills
are in bad order, but they will get them re-
paired ; and as soon as the harvest gets in they
will begin to grind the wheat. At 3, returned
and found two of the Michigans drunk. They
had stolen rum out of a keg that had been
issued for a party going for a gun-boat of the
enemy, being a little above Fort Madison.
AVhen I arrived they were lying drunk. I
ordered them into the guard-house. They were
very insolent to the sergeant, and in fact
rushed out of the block-house where they were
confined, havi)ig no sentry over them, and be-
haved with violence, taking up clubs to defend
themselves from the guard, when I ordered
them a second time to be kept close. Having
only one pair of fetters, I had them put on to
one of them ; the other I had tied.
Monday, August 15. — At 9, seven canoes,
Renards from the Riviere au D'Inde, arrived.
Having received a letter in French, from Capt.
Grignon, on the 12th inst., the difficulty of de-
ciphering it prevented my inserting till to-day,
as follows :
Fort McKay, Aug. 12, 1814.
C.M'r. T. G. Anderson, Com'g Fort McKay :
Sir — I beg you to take into consideration the
request which 1 made of Lieut. Col. McKay,
which lie accepted. As I do not intend to act
in anything that would be disagreeable to you;
and knowing your intelligence, I hope that you
will take everything into consideration. My
only object is to prove as much as my feeble
knowledge permits, to submit my views of pub-
15G
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
lie matters, which are founded upon truth, and
which are of the greatest importance to make
known, and should be understood everywhere,
being interested for the service of His Majesty,
etc.
1. The provisions which are absolutely in-
dispensable, and which it would be a failure
not to recognize [are wanting]. You know that
the inhabitants of Green Bay are without help
for their harvest, and that it is impossible for
them to gather their crops without assistance.
A mill there stands idle for lack of workmen.
It is important for them to be provided with
flour, unless affairs at Mackinaw should permit
the furnishing an immediate supply, or I should
not be allowed to return home (the people
there must suffer).
It would be possible to send the powder you
need, from that place ; I myself could furnish
250 pounds. Here you need to be provided
with the munitions of war ; you have not
enough for the force you have, and what is the
need of us (xreen Bay people here "? Without
additional supplies you will be unable to defend
the place ; it is like a body without a soul. If
permitted to return to the bay, and you should
have information of the approach of the enemy,
I think that, receiving notice, I could come to
your assistance as soon as the (Indian) Natio.is
nearest here ; and the Nations of Fox river
would come more promptly with me than by
sending a message to them, which would only
be met by procrastination, as usual.
2. The provisions which arc being consumed
here by so many, it would be better, in my
opinion, to husband in part, for another time
(when the enemy should threaten and re-in-
forcements should be needed). It is costly to
transport supplies for so many men from Mack-
inaw. As there are not sufficient munitions for
those here, it has been my intention to obtain
leave to go to the Illinois with some volunteers.
I have tried to raise the Sacs and Foxes, in
order to embroil them with the enemy. Such
were the intentions of your servant, and more.
I need say nothing further. I hope for a
furlough, and not transportation, as early as
possible, with a letter of recommendation to
the commander at Mackinaw, if agreeable to
you to grant it.
I am, sir, etc., etc.,
Pierre GRiGNoy, Capt.
My answer was as follows:
Fort McKay, August 15, 1814.
Captain Grignon:
Sir. — In answer to your letter of the r2th inst.
I have to say that as to the request you say you
made of Col. McKay, I know nothing about it.
Summing up the contents of your letter, I find
you want permission to return home, a request
I cannot take upon myself to grant, for two
reasons: first, that it was optional with you,
previous to the colonel's departure, to remain
here, or return to your home; secondly, you are
on the list with those to do garrison duty here
till the re-inforcement arrives from Mackinaw.
As to provision, the less said on this subject
the better. The object of our coming here was
to make use of our arms, etc.
As to your good intentions, and wish to go
and burn St. Louis,* I conceive it to be out of
tlie question to harbor any such idea, with any
number of the Indians, and perhaps forty or
fifty volunteers that you with difficulty could
muster. Attacking and totally destroying so
formidable a place as that, is in my opinion,
absurd. I am much obliged to you for your
offer of powder, and am sorry it is out of reach.
Having answered the principal subjects of your
letter, I am sir, your liumble servant,
Thos. G. Anderson, Capt. Comd'g.
At 10, Lieut. Graham went off to try and get
the gun-boat, as mentioned in yesterday's or-
ders. At 6 p. M. a violent thunder storm, with
rain and much lightning. The firmament was
as if in a continual blaze, from 7 till 10.
Tuesday, August 16th. — At 10 called up the
Michigans that were confined on Sunday. When
*A8 this intention does not appear in Capt. Grignon'e
letter, it must have been derived from verbal expressions.
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
15-?
they proved that they got the rum, with which
they got drunk ou Sunday, from one of the vol-
unteers, I sent for him , liberated the two Mioh-
igaiis, and put him in their place. The Miclii-
gans deserved, perhaps, to be more rigorously
punished; but their corps being my principal
support, would not admit of my being too
strict with them for the present. At 5, a canoe
of Puants arrived from their village on the
Ouisconsin. Kept a party at work making
swivel bullets. Finished covering the house.
At half past 8 the volunteer in the guard house
was on the point of, and threatening to break
out, when I ordered him to be put in irons.
\Yednesday, August iVth. — Got the artificers
at work widening the passage through the fort,
but could not complete it entirely. At 9 p. m.
the Feuille, or Leaf, arrived with five of his
young men. He ha-l heard by the Renards
that the Americans were coming up, and that
cannon had been lieard tiring below the Rock
river lately, and that a barge had arrived from
Mackinaw. The report )( the tiring of the can-
non we knew to be false. Lieut. Brisbois lias
just come from there, and if a barge had arrived
from Mackinaw, no doubt we would have had
letters from there. Those vagabonds made this
news in hopes to make themselves pass for
friendly Indians.
Thursday, August 18th. — At 10 the Feuille
came to the fort, when I told him the talk I had
held with the Renards, the whole of which, he
agreed, was perfectly right. I gave him the
four scalps I got from the Renards. He
told me, that in the course of a few days, he
would send down to hoar the news, and after
that, he would come down himself with the
men of his band to wait the arrival and com-
mand of his father, Robert Dickson. I gave
him a few loaves of bread, and he went off.
At 2 o'clock this morning, John Campbell, of
the volunteers, having repeatedly refused to do
duty, I sent the corporal of the guard with two
men, and brought him up. In (juestioning him
and asking him his reasons for his not attend-
ing, he said he would not mount guard as long
as he could get work to gain anything by. I
told him he had better do his turn of duty with
the others. He immediately mounted his high
horse, and began to talk in a high tone, when
I commanded him to be silent. He became in-
solent, and told me he did not care a d — n
for me. I ordered him to the guard house.
Kennet, who was put in irons on Tuesday, con-
tinues in the guard-house with his irons on him;
is very abusive, and threatens every person in
the garrison without exception. The fort door,
and well completed.
Friday, August 1 9th. — The ofiicers, etc., took
two lessons at the gun, and got on very well.
Let John Campbell out of the guard-house. A
heavy shower in the morning. Got word that
the Renards above had found the Indian that
got drowned while going up with the Little
Corbeau. They say he had his feet tied togeth-
er. Got the carpenter to work making a scaf-
fold, on which for a sentry to stand high, and
see over the pickets. One of the swivels well
mounted, and in the blacksmith's hands, to be
bound, and ironed completely. Gave out a
second to be mounted.
Saturday, August 20th. — At 6, practiced at
the gun till a quarter past 8. Went around
to arrange with the farmers for flour. They
will begin to thrash out their wheat on Monday.
I promised them every- assistance. At 10, the
.Michigans were drilled. At 2 p. m., gijt the
other three-pounder mounted, and went out in
brigade at 4 o'clock, practicing sham fighting
till 6, when we returned to the fort. At half
])ast .3 P. M., three young Renards arrived
with a pipe, they say, from the Sauks, who send
me word that the Americans were on their way
up here in barges. They say they do not deceive
me, three different couriers having seen the
barges above the Cap au Gris ten days ago. The
Sauks request me to go down to the rapids with
all the forces here, and meet the enemy there,
and at the same time take them ammunition and
guns. I told them I could give them an answer
158
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
in the morning, as they told me this news at
7 o'clock in the evening. I cannot put faith in
this report. The couriers cannot inform me the
number of the enemy's barges, nor can they tell
me the number of young Sauks that brought the
pipe to the Renarcl village. They ask for am-
munition and guns, two articles they have been
repeatedly told that we have none; and Col.
McKay, when he gave the Epervier Noir, or
Black Sparrow Hawk, the last present, told him
positively he need not expect any further supply
of powder till tlie ro-inforcement came out. All
these circumstances considered, I conceived it to
be a made up story of the Renards and Aile
Rouges or Red Wings, to get us away from
this, perhaps to destroy the place, or else to get
us, as they suppose, into their power below this,
and, as in such a case we would not suspect
them, to get us into a council, and then do our
business. Be this as it may, I treat the couriers
well, and do not give the smallest idea that I
doubt the truth of their report. On the contrary,
I will encourage them to be on the lookout, etc.
If there is any truth in their assertions, we shall
know it in the course of three or four days by
Lieut. CTraham. The enemy will not reach this
point, if the report is true, before twenty days.
Sunday, August 21st. — Answer to the young
Renards that brought the pipe, and news of the
approach of the Americans: "You will tell tlie
Sauks, that I thank them for having sent a pipe
as a token of the certainty of the enemy's ap-
proach. I also thank you for having been so
expeditious in bringing the news here. You
will tell the Sauks thatmy orders will not admit
of my leaving this place for the present, having
been left here to defend the post. At any rate,
knowing that there are a number of bad Indians
both above and below me, I fear were they to
find that 1 had left the village unguarded, they
might come and insult and destroy the inhabi-
tants of the place."
I was careful to prevent their learning that
we had only one half barrel of tiour on hand.
As to ammunition and guns, I sent word to the
Sauks, that they well knew I had none to spare,
having on hand only what would be necessary
for twenty days in case of an attack, — this was
designed, in case the Sauks should give infor-
mation to the enemy, to make them believe that
we are not short of supplies. The Sauks, Ren-
ards, etc., ought to be well supplied, having got,
previous to Col. McKay's leaving here, twenty
kegs of gunpowder, and having taken a number
of guns from the enemy, they are well enabled
to stand a strong attack.
I advised the Indians below "to keep a good
look out, and not allow tlicmselves to be sur-
prised, and in case the Americans should come
on horseback, as you say, try and decoy them
into the bush, and surround them. Men on
horseback, in a thick bush, cannot do much;
and in case they get past your village in
barges, follow them up here, with a party on
each side of the river, and annoy them if they
debark to camp, to get wood, or otherwise ; and
by the time they reach here, I will have a strong
re-inforceraent of Indians. Before they can
reach here, the re-inforcement will perhaps be
out from Mackinaw, when you, our Sauk friends,
will be all well sup[ilied with ammunition and
everything else.
" I am very sorry I cannot take upon myself
to furnish the Sauks with any more ammuni-
tion ; but let them t.ake courage, and act as
bravely as they did when they drove back the
American gun-boats, and they may depend upon
amjile support, perhaps more than they can pos-
sibly expect, when the re-inforcement comes out.
When Black Hawk and the Sauk chiefs send
expresses in the future, send people that can
give the particulars of anything that is going
on, and not young men that can give no infor-
mation at all. The young men that b]-ouglit me
the pipe could neither tell me where the enemy
were seen, their number of boats, nor anything
more than merely they were coming. The pipe,
you say, the Sauks sent to be left with me. I
will keep it as a token of their good intentions,
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
159
and will deliver it to their father, the Red
Head,* as soon as he arrives."
At 1-2, the Sauk chief, Thomas, arrived.
Two canoes having left the village previous to
the arrival of this news there, he could give nie
no further assurance. He met Lieut. Graham
within a few miles of the Rock river, and says
he will be back here to-morrow or next day.
Monday, August 2-2d. — At 6 in the morning,
it began to rain hard, and thundered a good
deal. Rainy weather all day. At 8 in the
evening a Sioux canoe arrived with one man
and three women ; nothing new. Issued thirty-
seven pairs Indian shoes to the volunteers, and
drilled the people.
Tuesday, August 23d. — Got a number of men
threshing wheat. At 7 in the evening, Lieut.
Graham arrived bringing Indian news, that the
Americans were coming up. Nothing certain
as to their force, or where they were seen. On
the 201 li, while Lieut. Graham was preparing
to proceed from Rock river to go and destroy
the gun-boat (the Sauks having refused to go
and assist in getting her up), two young men
arrived express from the Sauks on the Missouri,
reporting that white people from the Illinois,
tliey do not know who, sent word to the Sauks
on the Missouri to inform those on the Rock
river to be on their guard, as the Americans
were to leave the Illinois on the 4th inst., in a
strong detachment, to cut off the Sauks. No
other certain news of their approach.
Wednesday, August 24th. — Having delilier
ated on the news Lieut. Graham brought from
the Sauks,, and taking into consideration the
promises made Indians in general by the Govern-
ment, through Robert Dickson, and Col. McKay
previous to his leaving here, of giving them
every assistance, and supporting them agsinst
the invading enemy, I think it my duty to send
an expedition to the Sauks for that purpose, in
order to convince them that promises made by
•Col. KiilKTt Dickson. The Indians called him the R«f-
Htiirftl M tn. The Ainorioan Indians wore accustomed in af-
tri- years, when (iov. Win. Clark, of Missouri, liccanic the
Siipcrinuridenlof Indi:ui Affairs in the northwest, of desig-
nating- him as lieA Head, as ho had sandv hair.
British officers are inviolable, and will be ful-
tilled, even under the most inconvenient circum-
stances. I, therefore, ordered that an expedi-
tion to the Rock river would be in readiness to
march on the 27th inst. The forces are men-
tioned in the orders of the 24 th. I also ordered
that Mr. Renville leave here early to-morrow
morning for the Sioux, that is the friendly band,
to ask their chief, with as many as he can spare
of his young men, to go on the same expedition,
and at the same time to tell the Feuille or Leaf,
to send word to the Little Corbeau to proceed
with all the warriors of the lake,* and when
they get to the Prairie La Crosse, to wait there
till they send me word, and get further orders
what to do. Lieut. Graham brought intelligence
that the Sauks were all assembling at the Rapids
of Rock river, and had sent word to the Puants,
etc., and tliat lie believed that before our ex])edi-
tion reaches them, there will be about 1,200
warriors assembled there. They promised they
would fight to the last man, and sent me word
that their fields of corn were open to the troops
that I might send, as well as to all Indians going
to their aid.
Thursday, August 25th. — The guns are in a
fair way ; the brass three-pounder finished at
3 in the afternoon. A Renard canoe ar-
rived from above. There are eight men, with
Le Jeune Homme chief. They arrived very
much dejected, and were ashamed to hold up
their heads. They did not offer to speak to me.
The commissary got in 500 weight of flour.
Friday, August 26th. — At 10 the .fcune
Homme assembled his young men, and asked
to speak with me. I went and found them in
Boilvin's house. They had a j)ipo of j)eace, an
otter sack, and a painted elk skin, with a few
pieces of dried meat to give me. When he
arose to speak, he offered ine his hand ; but I
refused to give him mine. He then began a
discourse that had no sense in it. His princi-
pal strain was, that he had always wished to
follow his father, the Red Head's advice ; but
♦Probabls- Lake St. Croix.
160
HISTORY 'OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
the Americans had turned his head, and be had
behaved ill. And was sorry for it. In enter-
ing into the room, I, knoA'ing he had a British
silk flag, and had not hoisted it when he arrived
here, told him, before he spoke a word, to show
me his flag, for I feared he had given it to his
friends, the Americans. He sent and had it
brought. I would have taken it from him, but
fearing it might be improper, he having re-
ceived it from the superintendent. On that
account I said nothing about it.
When he had finished his speech, his war
chief got up with the pipe in his hand, and
said : "I made use of all the sense the mother
of life gave me, in order to induce you to smoke
my pipe ; if I have done wrong, it is because I
have been advised to it by my chief ;" and
having concluded his remarks, and about to
light the pipe, I told him to save himself the
trouble, as I would not smoke with them. He
laid down the pipe, etc., at my feet.
I then replied to them thus : "You ought
not to be surprised that I treat you in this way.
You are of an age not to be foolish. You ought
to have sense. I cannot, therefore, attribute
your bad conduct, to us, to have risen from a
want of knowing better. But I attribute it to
a real inclination of wishing to be American
subjects. If you were ashamed to expose your
English flag to view, why did you not act as
men, and arrive here with your American fa-
ther's mark of distinction? The time is over for
British ofiicers to flatter, beg and pray of the
Indians to follow the good road. Your father
the Red Head, is tired of using these means to
Indians that come crying to him, when he is
here, to get a blanket to cover themselves, or a
charge of powder to kill wherewith to eat ; and
then as soon as his back is turned, to raise
their war club over our heads, and ask, with
flattering stories, the same assistance from the
enemy. None but dogs can be guilty of such
conduct.
" The time is drawing near when the sun
will be eternally hid fi'om the bad Indians, and
will be three times larger than now for good
ones. Let every one who wishes well to his
women and children, lose no time in showing
his true colors ; for I think when the great
chief, the Red Head arrives, his good children
will appear bold and walk in good spirits, with
their heads up. But the bad Indians will be
like dogs almost starved to death. Everything
that you have said, and my answer, I have
marked on this piece of paper (holding up a
sheet of paper), and will keep it till the great
chief, the Red Head, arrives, and show it to
him, that he may know our discourse. Your
pipe and sack you will keep, and when he ar-
rives, as he has the command of all the Indians,
he will do as he pleases ; but as for me, I can-
not make peace with the Americans."
Never were Indians, perhaps, more dejected,
and perhaps none ever so sincerely regretted
their past folly. The Jeune Homme was the
man that, when they got word of the Ameri-
cans coming here last spring, got J. M. Cardinal,
.■xn inhabitant of this place, to write the Ameri-
cans the situation of the country, and sent some
of his young men with it to the enemy, and
afterwards oft'ered his services to go to war
against us, and was instrun'ental in delivering
up, with the Aile Rouge, or Red Wing, this
place to the enemy. I conceived it my duty to
talk to them in this strain, to convince them
that the Uritish wished all the Indian Nations
well, and would support them as long as they
followed their good advice ; but, at the same
time, put them*!a.t defiance, and despised any
threats from those that chose to join, the Amer-
icans.
Fort McKay, Aug. 26, 1814.
To LiE0T. Gbaham. —
Sir: — The expedition for the Rock river
under your command, being now in readiness,
you will march to-morrow morning at 8
o'clock, and proceed with all haste to your place
of destination. On your arrival there, you will
assemble the Indians, and explain to them that
the intention of the expedition is to support
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
ler
them in defending their lands, and women and
children, according to promises made to them
by their father, Robert Dickson, and Lieut.
C'oi. McKay; and tliat in case of any attack,
they must su2)pon and defend tiie guns as long
as they have a man standing. That they must
not amuse themselves, during the action, in
taking scalps. They must destroy the enemy
as much as possible, except prisoners. Those
they will treat well, and not, as is generally the
case, use them barbarously; but on the con-
trary, if they use them as we always do our
prisoners, and bring them here, they shall be
well recompensed for it. You will, in case of
being successful, and should be fortunate in
making prisoners, use every means in prevent-
ing their being insulted, or ill-used by the Indi-
ans; and by all means act in every way towards
them as becoming a British officer. You will
not proceed below the Rock river until you
find it necessary to take advantage of a com-
manding situation. If the enemy do not reach
Rock river in six days after your arrival there,
you will decamp and return here, unless you get
information of their being at hand. But in
case you find the enemy's forces to be absolute-
Ij' too strong to risk an engagement, you will
retreat here with all possible haste, leaving the
Indiana and a few of your men to follow up
the enemy, and annoy them as much as possible
until they reach here. Having full confidence
in you, and the troops under your command, I
trust to your judgment to arrange all necessary
matters as occasion may require, and trusting
to a deliberate and prudent conduct in you, I
wish you a successful and safe return.
I am, sir, etc.,
Tiios. G. Anderson,
Capt. Comd'g.
Saturday, August 27th. — At 8, the expedi-
tion for the Rock river, marched. We gave
them three shots from the six pounder. At
2, the i'"euille, or Leaf, with fifty Sioux, arrived,
on their way to join the expedition. Shortly
after, forty Renards arrived for the same pur-
pose. I gave them fifteen loaves of bread, and
sent to procure a beef that I knew was for
sale, but the owner sent me word if I would
send him two milch cows, I might get his ox.
I then inquired of Mr. Brisbois, from whom I
have had every assistance he could possibly
give, even to the distressing of his own family.
He furnished a pair of two year old bulls, which
I gave to the whole of the warriors. The
Feuille brought word that he iiad met a Ren-
ard canoe with two men in it, who informed
him, that a Renard messenger was sent from
the Illinois by the Americans, with a notice to
the Indians, that they, the Americans, were on
their way up here mainly to lake possession of
their fort [at Prairie du Chien], and not to hurt
the Indians. That they, the Indians, were
requested to keep out of the way. That the
Americans, like hunters in the wood, had
wounded a deer ; they had wounded the Eng-
lish, and were following the track till ihey
should ruin or destroy the whole. The Feuille
heard this report too late to authorize him to
take the Renard. The Feuille does not under-
stand the Renard language himself, but this was
interpreted to him some time after passing the
Renard canoe.
Sunday, August 28th. — Gave the Feuille ten
bushels of wheat to take him, with the Renards,
to the Rock river. A young lad of this place,
by the name of Antoine Du liois, volunteered
his service, and embarked with the Sioux inter-
preter. I gave the Feuille a few articles he
was absolutely in want of. Fifty Sioux, of the
Feuille band, with forty-five Renards, left this
place at 2 o'clock singing the war song; and at
6, about sixteen Puants arrived from above, de-
barked at the upper end of the village, and
walked down to the lower end, singing the war-
song, then immediately embarked and went off.
Wrote a note to Cajit. Grignon to prepare him-
self to go off express to Mackinaw to-morrow
at 10 o'clock.
Monday, August 29th. — Finished the dis-
patches at 10, and Capt. Grignon being detained
162
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
in expectation of Mr. Antoine Brisbois arriving
from below, did not set off till i in the after-
noon. Mr. Brisbois did not arrive.
Praieie du Chien, Foet McKay,
Aug. 29, 1814.
To Lieut. Col. MoDouall. —
Sie: — The command of this post having been
left to me by Lieut. Col. McKay, I have the
honor to communicate to ) ou, that on the 2'i'th
inst., I sent off a small detachment under the
command of Lieut. Graham, of the Indian
department, for the Rock river, consisting of
thirty men, one brass three-pounder, and two
swivels. Having sent Lieut. Graham to that
place on the loth inst., in order to get a party
of Sauks to proceed with him to within two
miles of the enemy's abandoned Fort Madison,
to take possession of, and, if possible, bring
away a gun-boat that the enemy had got sunk,
by the fall of a tree, last spring, on their way
up here; and, at the same time, to get informa-
tion of the enemy.
But the Sauks, having got repeated informa-
tion, by scouting parties, that the Americans
were on the point of leaving St Louis for this
place, they were afraid, and would not go.
Lieut. Graham, therefore, determined to pro-
ceed, with his small party of volunteers, to burn
the gun-boat, in order to prevent its falling into
the enemy's hands. As he was on the point of
embarking for that purpose, two young Sauks
arrived from the Sauks on the Missouri (wheie
there are still ten lodges — say 100 men) express,
with news that a courier had been sent by some
French gentlemen, from St. Louis, to the Sauks
on the Missouri, to notify them that a strong
detachment of the enemy was to march from
St. Louis on or about the 12th inst., to cut off
the Indians at Rock river.
The courier from St. Louis was sent to the
Indians on the Missouri, that they might imme-
diately give information to those on Rock river
to be on their guard. Lieut. Graham, believing
this report to be true, returned here on the 23d
inst., but previous to his return, exclusive of
circulating reports, the Indians at the Rock
river sent word to me, and to the Indians above
this, through the medium of a pipe, to inform,
me of the enemy's being on their way here
and begged that I would send them some ammu-
nition, with one or two guns and a few soldiers,
to assist them in defending their lands, women
and children.
On Lieut. Graham's arrival, I called together
all the officers to have their opinions on the
subject, and they universally agreed that it was
absolutely necessary to send a small detachment,
not only for the preservation of the post, but to
retain the Indians in our favor. This small de-
tachment, together with the aid they get from
the Feuille with forty of his young men, will
greatly encourage the Indians on the lower
Mississippi, and preventtheir joining the enemy
which necessity might otherwise compell them
to do.
The Sauks, Renards and Kiekapoos that were
about the entrance of Rock river when Lieut.
Graham was there, formed about 800 men,
though, with the re-inforcements that will join
them by the time the detachments from this
reaches them, I am well persuaded will reach from
1,200 to 1,500 men. Upwards of 100 men, Sioux,
Puants and Renards, from above this, passed
here yesterday on their way to join the detach-
ment. Ammunition, arms and tobacco are the
principal articles the Indians are really in dis-
tress for.
I beg leave to remark that the critical situa-
tion of the country here at present absolutely
requires that Robert Dickson should be here
with the re-inforcements of troops asked for by
Lieut. Col. McKay. The volunteer privates
from Mackinaw and the b.ay, though willing to
serve their country, are becoming weary of
garrison duty, and as the time for which they
volunteered their services having expired,
they hope to be soon relieved. I send Capt.
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
163
Grignon, of the bay express, with this commu-
nication I have the honor to he, etc.,
Tho.s. G. Anderson,
Capt. Commanding.
Tuesday, August .30th — At 12 o'clock the
Bourgue, a Puant chief, arrived, and rejtorts
that he licard tliat Robert Dickson had left
Mackinaw some time since for this post.
Wednesday, August 3)st — Requested of Mr.
Brisbois to rejiair Mr. Fisher's store, a con-
venient place to put part of the public goods.
The Feuille having assured me that he had sent
off two young men from his village to inform
tlie Little Corbeau, I did not send an interjjret-
er, as ordered on the 2Sth inst. The Feuille
gave me this information on the 29th inst., in
the morning.
Thursday, Sept. 1st, ISU—
To Mr. Frenier: You will leave this im-
mediately, with three men in a wooden canoe,
and proceed with all haste up the Mississippi
till you fall in with the Little Corbeau. You
will tell him the enemy are on their way up
here. That Robert Dickson, from Indian re-
ports, will be here in a very short time, and
that it is requested that the principal part of his
band will remain above this, not higher up than
the Prairie La Crosse, to hunt, till further
orders.
Yours, etc., Thomas G.Anderson,
Capt. Commanding.
Mr. Frenier went off at 10 o'clock. Showers
of rain all day.
Friday, September 2d — Two letters that
I wrote Lieut. Graliam when he went down to
the Rock river in quest of the American gun-
boats, having been omitted, are inserted as fol-
lows:
Fort McKav, Aug. 14, isu.
'J'o Lieut. Graham:
Sir — You will leave this to-morrow morning
at 10 o.clock, with one intei'preter and six men,
in a canoe. You will proceed immediately to
tlie Rock river, unless you get certain news of
the enemy's approacli. On your arrival there
you will call together the Sank chiefs, soldiers
and braves, and give them a carrot of tobacco,
as a present, and a request to them to go with
you to assist in obtaining the object of vour
voyage, whicli is, to bring up an American gun-
boat that is lying a short distance above Fort
]\[adison. In case you are successful in getting
the boat, you will u.-^e your endeavors in gettino-
thelndians to assist you in bringing lier up here;
but if you cannot get that assistance, you will
run her up into the Rock river where she will
be safe till she can lie sent for from Iiere. If
your best exertions fail in getting off the boat
you will burn her, to prevent her falling into
the enemy's hands.
In case you get certain information of the
enemy's approach; or if you find it necessary on
any other occasion to send an express here by
land, you will order the Indians bearing it, to
show themselves on the hills opposite this
place. On their arrival, they will halloo
a few shouts, then fire one gun, and shortly after
they will fire three shots. This will be a signal to
let me know who they are. In asking assistance
from the Itidians, you will tell them if they go
with you and bidng up the boat, they will be
amply recompensed when the re-inforccment
arrives from Mackanaw. Wishing you a short
and successful passage, I am, sir, etc.,
Tnos. G. Anderson, Capt. Com'd'g.
Fort McKay, Aug. 21, 1814.
Lieut. Graham:
Sir — Last evening three Renards arrived here
with a pipe, sent, they say, by the Sauks, to tell
me tlie Americans were on their way uj) here;
but the express could [not] tell me what num-
l)er of barges were coming, nor whore they
wore seen. I will thank you to make particular
inquiry of the Sauks, where the pijie came from;
anil tell them if they send in future, to send
peo])lethat can be depended upon to give every
information. They asked for ten kegs of gun-
powder, and guns — two articles tliat tliey are
already well supplied with. I, therefore gave
them none.
164
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
Get certain and particular information before
you send or return. You will tell the Indians,
in case the enemy are coming up, to follow them
by land, on each side of the Mississippi, and an-
noy them as much as possible; at the same time
not to waste their ammunition in firing random
shots. They requested me to go down and
meet the enemy at the Rock river. This being
impossible, for several reasons, I refused them
positively. If you cannot get the gun-boat, use
every means to destroy it. Yours, etc.,
Thos. G. Anderson, Capt. Cora'd'g.
At 4 A. M., a Puant arrived with Francois La
Poiiite's horse, that had been stolen by the
Puaiils.
Saturday, Sept. 3d. — A cool pleasant morn-
ing,'but foggy.
To LiEDT. Graham:
Sib: — You will receive by interpreter Grig-
noii, 52') pound.s of flour, all that I can possibly
muster. Indian report says, that Robert Dick-
son left Mackinaw a long time ago for this
place. I have been waiting now three days, in
hopes of certain information on that head, to
no purpose. If you think it necessary, you can
remain a few days longer than the term men-
tioned in your instructions of the i2iith ult. I
am very anxious to hear from you. I refer you
to Mr. Grignon for further particulars. In
hopes shortly to receive flattering news from
you, I am, sir, etc.,
Thos. G. Anderson, Capt. Comd'g.
Sunday, Sept. 4th. — At 10 the militia assem-
bled as usual. I thanked the inhabitants of St.
Friole, by way of encouraging them, for having
furnished what little flour they had done.
Having heard a rumor that the volunteers were
about to take their discharge when on parade,
I represented to them the disgrace that would
attend such a step, etc. They made no reply,
and continued their duty for the present. At
3 A. M. two Renard canoes arrived, with six
men and several women and children. By way
of getting provisions and ammunition, they fab-
ricated a story that the detachment gone below
had surrendered to the Americans. Knowing
this to be a base falsehood, I abused the cow-
ardly villains, as they deserved, and gave them
nothing. This afternoon a canoe of Renards
from above was seen by old La Pointe, to
go down the river behind the island. He did
not give me notice till late in the evening.
Monday, Sept. 5th. — ^The Renards that ar-
rived yesterday, went off above.
Tuesday, Sept 6th. — Finding that one Fon-
taine had a mare and a young colt here, and
that he had been in the Illinois three years, I
ordered the mare to be taken (the colt being
only this spring's) and broke in for the King's
service.
Wednesday, Sept. 7th. — At 4 o'clock four
Sauks, old men arrived from the Rock river,
bringing the following communications from
Lieut. Graham:
Rock River, Sept. 3, 1814.
Capt. Thos. G. Anderson:
Sir. — Agreeably to your orders of the 26th of
last month, I proceeded with all expedition for
this place, which I reached on the 29th of the
same month. Although there is no apparent
danger, our coming here has given more satis-
faction to the Sauks than if all the goods in the
King's store in Mackinaw had been sent them, as
they are now firmly convinced that their English
Father is determined to support them against
the ambition and unjust conduct of their ene-
mies. I made known to them the intention of
the expedition, to which they answered that, if
we should come to action, they would stand
by us to the last man. One hundred and
twenty-two men, Sioux, Rena-'ds and Puants, ar-
rived here the day before yesterday. The whole
of the Indians appear to be much animated to
meet the enemy, and I think with wliat force
we have to be able to re}pulse any party that
the enemy will be able to send this way.
I have not l)een able to obtain aiij' satisfactory
information of the enemy coming up. Four
days ago, five Indians that went down on dis-
covery, returned. They were as far as Cap au
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
165
Gris. They say at that point there is a imall
fort, which I suppose to be Fort Independence.
There was a considerable number of men in and
around it, with two large gun-boats at anchor
before it. Whether this force is stationed there
to guard their frontiers, or for collecting for an
expedition to come this way, is uncertain. I
detained this letter three or four days, waiting
the return of five Indians that had been gone
about twelve days, in hopes to obtain from them
more certain information; but finding their stay
too long, I send oflE this, as I know you are
impatient to hear from this place.
Eight Indians went off, three days ago, to
find out what detained the others. To them I
gave orders to burn the boat, as I thought it
would be impossible to send the number of men
it would require to bring her up in case of an at-
tack. As there is continually a number of In-
dians on the look-out,we cannot be surprised on
the least notice of their coming. We shall take
our position on the island,* which is the best
place for defense that I know on the Missis-
sippi. I beg you will pay attention to those
that go up with this, as we are dependent on
them here for provisions. As soon as the dis-
covering party returns, if there is no appear-
ance of the enemy coming up, I shall of course
return. I hope ere this you have news from
Mackinaw.
Sir, I am, etc.,
(Signed). DtmCAN Geaham,
Lieut. Indian Dept.
(P. S.) Having finished this at 10 o'clock at
night, in the morning the discovering party ar-
rived. They saw, yesterday morning three
large gun-boats under sail on their way up, about
thirty leagues from here. It seems their fears
prevented them from knowing their exact num-
V)c-r. Before this reaches you, we shall, I hope,
decide the business. As soon as it is daylight,
I will send Lieut. Brisbois with a canoe well
manned, if possible to know their strength.
Should we be attended with success, you shall
soon hear. I expect them after to-morrow.
Nothing further at present. The 4th of Sep-
tember about 1 o'clock in the morning.
(signed) Duncan Graham.
At five, a canoe arrived from the ahove;three
Iroquois from the Riviere des Sotrax* having
left their families on that river, and came here
to get some ammunition, as they were quite des-
titute of that article.
Fort McKay, Sept. 7th, 1814.
To Lieut. Graham —
Sie: — I received your communication of the
3d and 4th inst., and from the enemy's ap-
parent force, I hope ere this the business is
decided in our favor. I am much gratified to
have it in my power to give a most flattering
detail of the good conduct of the Sauks, etc., to
Lieut. Col. McDouall, who I am well persuaded
will be highly pleased with them. No news
from Mackinaw, but houily expected. The ex-
press for Mackinaw left here on the 29th ult.,
also an express for the Sioux on the 1st inst.,
not yet returned. In case of your being suc-
cessful, and take any prisoners, use every effort
to preserve them; and if your stock of provis-
ions will admit, bring such prisoners up here,
to be sent on to Mackinaw. I am, sir,
Thos. G.Anderson,
Capt. Commanding.
N. B. You will receive this by the return of
the Sauks you sent up here, who leave hero to-
morrow morning. T. G. A.
Thursday, Sept. Hth. — The Sauks tliat ar-
rived with the communication from Lieut.
Graham, set off with dispatches at 8 o'clock in
the morning. Previous to their setting out, I
gave them each a blanket, a breech-clout, and a
knife, they being four in number. Tlioy went
off highly pleased.
Friday, Sept. 9th — At 3 o'clock in the after-
noon, six Puant canoes arrived from the Ouiscon-
sin, with La Gruness, and the Old Wolf. They
*Rock Island, unque8tionabl.v.
•Saut eur or Chippewa River, doubtless.
166
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
brought word that a Folle Avoine woman from
Mackinaw bronglit news to the bay, that when
she left the post, the American fleet was in
sight of Mackinaw. How long since, or wliat
was their force, she knew nothing about.
Saturday, Sept. 10th — At 1 o'clock p. m.,
five Sioux arrived from the Rock river, bring-
ing news that Lieut. Graham, with the detach-
ment under his command, and the Indians, had
attacked and defeated eight large American
gun-boats at the Rock river; had taken neither
prisoners nor anything else. At 5 o'clock in the
afternoon, a young Sauk, who had set off ivom
the Rock river express with two Sioux and a
Renard, buthaving tired them out, arrived here
alone with dispatches fi-om Lieut. Graham, as
follows:
Rock River, Sept. Vth, isi4.
Capf. Thomas G. Anderson —
Sir: — I mentioned to you in my letter of the
4th inst., by the information I had from the
Indians, that the enemy were within thirty
leagues of this place on their way up. As soon
as I found out their strength, I concluded the
place of their destination must be La Prairie
du Chien. The rapids was the only place where
we could attack such a force to any advantage.
On the 5th inst., we moved to the westside of
the island, and took our position at the narrow-
est part of the channel, the only place where
they could pass at that point. We were de-
termined to dispute the road with them, inch
by inch.
They appeared in sight at 4 o'clock p. m., with
a strong fair wind. There were eight large
boats, four of which were equal in size to the
one that made her escape from the Prairie. The
largest of them had a white flag flying at her
mast head. When they came to the head of
Credit island, about two miles from us, a storm
of rain, thunder and lightning came on, and the
wind shifted to the opposite point of the com-
pass, which compelled them to pass the remain-
der of the day, and that night there. All the
women and children were sent to the island .
took all the Sioux with us to cover the guns in
case of being obliged to retreat, as they prom-
ised they would rather be killed to the last man
than give up the guns.
I told the Sauks, in case the enemy should
attempt to land at their village, to retreat to the
island, and then we would return altogether
and attack them. The 6th, at break of day,
some of the Sauks came to us, and requested
that we should attack them immediately, as the
wind was against them, and some of their boats
were aground. We crossed to the main land at
the Foxes' village. There we left our boats,
and went as quick as possible through the prai-
rie unpcrceived by the enemy until we were on
the beach opposite to them. Here we had a
close view of them. I had no idea of the enor-
mous size of their boats before. They lay with
their broad sides close to a low sandy beach.
The largest of them had six port-holes open on
the side next to us. The channel was about
600 yards broad.
We were on an elevated spot, but no covering.
I requested the Indians not to waste their am-
munition firing at the boats, and save it in case
the enemy should attempt to land. Tiiey did so.
Finding they could not make up matters with
the Sauks, as they had killed one of their sen-
tinels in the night, they took down the white
flag, and jiut up the bloody flag in its place,
which I believe to be a signal of no quarters.
It was then 7 o'clock in the morning. Every-
thing being ready, we opened a brisk fire, from
the three-pounder, and two swivels, on their
boats. In al)out three quarters of an hour the
largest of their boats, which was ahead of the
others, after having about fifteen shots through
her, began to push off, and dropped astern of the
rest, and made the best of her way down the
current. The others soon followed her. We
kept firing at them along the bank, as far as the
ground would permit us to drag the guns ; but
they soon got out of our reach.
They went on about a league, and put to
shore. I thought they might intend to throw
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
167
up some breast-works, and make a stand at tliat
place. I sent immediately for the boats to go
with all the Indiaii.'f, to endeavor to dislodge
them from there. By the time we were ready
to embark, some of the Indians that followed,
returned and informed us, that it appeared to
them that the Americans had committed the
bodies of some of their men to a watery grave,
well knowing if they buried them on shore, they
would be torn to pieces. They then got up
their sails, the wind being fair, and made the
best of their way off. As the enemy landed at
that place, the Indians say they were about 1 ,000
men. I think their number to be between 600
and 800.
If we had had a larger supply of ammunition
and provisions, we might liave harassed them as
far as the rapi<ls of the liiviere des IVIoines ; but
having only a scanty supply of the one, and en-
tirely destitute of the other, we were obliged to
give lip pursuing them any further. Altiiough
we have not been able to capture any of their
boats, they have been completely repulsed, and
I have every reason to believe with a consider-
able loss, as out of fifty-four shots that we fired
at tlieni, there was only three or four that did
not go through their boats. The action lasted
about an hour. One of the swivels 'was served
by Lieut. Hrisbois, and the other by Colin Camp-
bell, which they executed with credit to them-
selves ; and all attached to the expedition be-
haved tliemselves in a manner worthy of veteran
troops, for they seemed to vie with each other
who would be the foremost, notwithstanding
liiey were entirely exposed to the enemy's shot,
and I am happy to say that not a man was hurt.
It is to the skill and courage of Scrgt. Keating,
on whom everything depended, that we owe our
success, and no praise of mine can bestow on
him what he deserves. As the Indians had no
communication with the enemy, I have not been
able to find out who commamled the Ameri-
can expedition. Sir, I am, etc.
Duncan Graham,
Lieut. Indian Dept.
Sunday, Sept. 11th. — The Indians from the
Rock river detachment continued arriving in
small hands.
Monday, Sept. 12th. — The remainder of the
Sioux, Puants and Renards arrived from the
detachment lielow. At i o'clock a wooden
canoe arrived from the portage, with interpret-
er Besler and Lance Corporal Haywood, and
their men, bringing with them one case ord-
nance stores and one keg of powder. The con-
ductor of the boat from Mackinaw, not being
active, did not get the boat over the portage,
therefore the ordnance stores, etc., were left
there till I can send for them. I received let-
ters as follows:
MiCHIIXIMACKANAC, Aug. 21, 1814.
To Capt. Anderson, or officer commanding Fort
McKay :
Sir: — I have great pleasure in returning you
my thanks for your judicious and spirited con-
duct during operations which ended in the cap-
ture of Fort McKay. I doubt not that whenever
another opportunity presents, you will again
distinguish yourself by such praise worthy con-
duct. I beg you will take the earliest oppor-
tunity of expressing my entire satisfaction with
the good conduct and spirit evinced by all ranks
employed upon the expedition ; but in particular
to mention my obligations to Capts. Dease and
Grignon, and Licuts. D. Graham and Brisbois,
and the interpreters, St. Germain, Renville,
Honore and Grignon, of the Indian dejiartment.
I likewise request you to return to Sergt. Keai-
ing, particularly, my thanks for the bravery and
good conduct which he so conspicuously dis-
played, and also to the detachment of the Mich-
igan Fencibles and to the volunteers and militia,
for their spirited and exemplary behavior. Yciii
will convey to the garrison in general my firm
belief that the fort which they so gallantly won,
they will as gallantly defend.
In the event of Col. McKay's having left tbe
fort, you will command them until further
orders, making every possible exertion to
strengthen your post, and omitting no precau-
11
168
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
tion which may be necessary for its defense. I
have sent Lance Corporal Heywood, of the
10th Veteran Battalion, in charge of some
ordnance stores. He is to remain witli you,
and be employed at the artillery, under Sergt.
Keating, whom I have appointed ordnance
store keeper at Fort McKay.
You will see the obvious necessity of culti-
vating the best possible understanding with the
Indians, particularly with our allies, the Sauks
and Renards. You will signify to them how
highly I am pleased with their conduct, and
that everything in my j^ower shall be done to
supply their wants. You will signify to the
Leaf and Little Corbeau my approbation of the
assistance which they have afforded, and my
hope that, if another attack is threatened this
fall, that they will bring down the whole of
their warriors to your assistance. Point out to
them of what consequence it is to them to keep
the enemy at their present distance. You may
assure them that great efforts are making by
the King in their behalf ; and that the ministry
are determined to make no peace till the lands
plundered from the Indians are restored. To
attain this purpose, great re-inforcements of
troops are coming out.
As Lieut. Grignon, of the Indian department,
is to reside for some time at Green Bay, you
will communicate with me through him, l)y
every possible opportunity, taking care to ac-
quaint me with every consequence that occurs.
If our post is likely to be attacked, you will
also call upon him to collect whatever Folles
Avoines, Winnebagoes and militia from Green
Bay that he can, and repair with tlie utmost ex-
pedition to your assistance. I am not without
hopes of being able, by and by, to send a de-
tachment of troops to re-inforce your garrison.
It will be necessary that some regular system
should be adopted for victualing the troops,
which Capt. Rolette will undertake. They
must be supplied with game and deer, and
what beef can be got. We have not any pork
to spare, and, indeed the only chance of our
being able to keep a fort at Prairie du Chien,
is by the country being able to feed and sup-
port that garrison, without making any demand
upon this post for provisions, which is out of
the question for me to grant. Capt. Dease and
yourself must make the best arrangements you
can for supplying the troops, taking care that
the utmost regularity and correctness appear
in your accounts and disbursements. Col. Mc-
Kay mentions his finding Mr. Honore, of the
Indian department,'a very useful commissary,
and you had better still employ him in that
capacity.
On Capt. Rolette's return he will take with
him the proper form, according to which your
monthly pay-lists are to be made out. On the
24th of each month, the troops to be regularly
mustered, and the men all present or their
absence accounted for. You will always be
upon your guard, and take the necessary pre-
cautions to become acquainted, through the
Sauks, with all the motions of the enemy ; and
endeavor to ascertain, as early as possible, if
they have intentions of attacking you, tliat you
may, in due time, be prepared for a most de-
termined and vigorous defense. With the as-
sistance of your Indians, I doubt not you will
be able to repel any attempt of the enemy ; but
above all things, be constantly in readiness for
it. I have the honor to be, etc.,
(Signed) R. McDouai.l,
Lieut. Col. Commanding.
Point au Ecoece, Aug. 24, 1814.
My Dear Anderson :
As soon as the boat arrives, you will send
down ten kegs of powder to the Sauks, etc. I
need not tell you to put the place in the best
state of defence, and get all the Indians from
above, etc Yours, etc.
(Signed) Wm. McKay, Lieut. Col., etc.
Besides these, I received other letters from
my friends
Tuesday, September 13. — Lieut. Brisbois ar
rived early in the morning in a canoe, with in-
terpreter Grignon, and the men that went down
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
169
witli the first supplies of provisions. At ) '2
o'clock the weather cleared up, having rained
successively two days and nights. At halt' past
six Lieut. Graham arrived with the whole de-
tachment under his command, all well, after
having driven off eight largo gun-boats, with
about 100 men in each of them. We were
obliged to give a good deal of bread and some
wheat to the warriors from below. The Puants
drove off and killed one of Capt. Rolette's
oxen. Notwithstanding liis men saw them
drive the ox away, they neither attempted to
re.scue him out of their hands, nor come and
give information, in order to get assistance
from me.
Wednesda3% September 14.-:— Began to write
dispatches to Mackinaw. Finished at 5 o'clock
in the afternoon. To Lieut. Col. McDouall, as
follows :
Praikie du Chikn, Fort McKay,
Sept. 14, 1814.
Sir — -I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your obliging favor of the 21st ult.,
which I received on the 12th inst., in the
evening, with one case of fixed shot and one
keg of powder, the conductor of the boat, not,
as he says, having been able to drag the boat
across the portage. I sent off a boat this
afternoon to bring away the ammunition, and
the one from Mackinaw will return immedi-
ately from there to Green Bay with these dis-
patches, directed to Lieut. Grigtion, for him to
forward.
I have the honor most graciously to thank
you for myself, and in the name of all the
tr.iops, etc., attached to this garrison, for your con-
<li'scending approbation of their conduct in the
late engagement at this place, under our un-
<launted and able commander, Lieut. Col. Mc-
Kay, to whose judicious management the inhab-
itants of this place, and the Indian tribes on the
Mississippi, acknowledge a happy and easy de-
liverance from an enemy that absolute necessity
obliged them for a moment to countenance. I
beg you may l)e assured every particular of
your orders shall be strictly attended to, and
put in execution without delay. I am happy in
having your a|)probation of Capt. Deasc's able
assistance to act in conjunction with rae. I shall
only take the liberty to remark, the only change
that can at present be made about tht; garrison, is
to put in comfortable quarters in which to lodge
the troops; and as for provisions, in my opinion,
the cheapest and most convenient means would
be to send a detachment from here taking the
Sauks,etc., on their way, and bring from some dis.
tauce above St. Louis, a drove of cattle, where
the Indians report that there are vast droves
running wild about American abandoned settle-
ments. In this case, and even in the event of
depending upon the Indians, a quantity of salt
would be necessary.
Lieut Graham having arrived last evening
with the detachment from Rock river. I have
the honor to communicate to you, that on leav-
ing here the 27th ult., they made the best of
their way, and arrived at the Rock river on the
29th; and soon got certain information that the
enemy were near .at hand, but could not know
their strength till eight large gun-boats hove in
sight on the 5th inst., at 4 o'clock in the
afternoon. The foremost being the largest, and
a finely painted boat, was supposed to be the
commanding officer's. She had a white flag
hoisted at her mast-head. This was supposed
to be with an intent either to deceive the In-
dians, or to use every means to gain them- over
to their side. Our people kept themselves con-
cealed, expecting the enemy would attempt to
ascend the rapids, when they would have had a
fair opportunity to capture the whole. The
enemy had no communication with the Indi:ins,
but lay quietly at anchor.
In the course of the night, contrary to Lieut.
Graham's orders, some of the Indians shot two
of the sentries from off their boats, and liie next
morning the enemy struck the white fiag, and,
to their confusion be it said, hoisted a scarlet
one in its place, a signal for no quarters. Lieut.
Graham, finding their intentions were to re-
IVO
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
main there some time, and as the Indians be-
came ungovernable, it became necessary to
commence a fire upon lliem, which was done
with much honor to those who commanded the
guns. They having fired about fifteen rounds
into the front boat, she turned her stern to the
current, and sailed down as fast as possible, the
seven others immediately followinij. The guns
played upon them as long as they could be
dragged along the beach.
Lieut. Brisbois commanded one of the swivels,
Sergt. Keating the three-pounder, and Sergt.
Colin Campbell, of the fencibles or volunteers,
the other swivel. The shots were well di-
rected, for out of fifty-four that were fired, not
more than three missed doing execution. The
enemy were thrown into such a consternation
on seeing a few red coats, that they could do
nothing with their guns, and in fact did not
fire more than fifteen shots till they recovered
their senses, and then they were too far off to
do execution, but kept up a brisk random firing.
Notwithstanding about 1,200 Indians, and the
detachment from this place were the number
present, and every man displayed the greatest
courage and good conduct, yet the battle was
fought by only about twenty men that manned
the guns.
If the officers and men of this garrison have
merit for their conduct on the I7th of July last,
surely the detachment to the Rock river excel,
and deserve every praise. The gun-boats were
supposed to have 800 men on board, and some
of them were pierced for twelve guns. I beg
to mention particularly Lieut. Graham's judi-
cious conduct in the command of the detach-
ment, and Lieut Brisbois, Sergt. Keating, and
Sergt. Colin Campbell of the volunteers, for
their courage and well managed tiring. On
this head too much cannot be said of Sergt.
Keating.
The satisfaction afforded the Indians from
their having had this assistance, can only be
imagined. Their shouts and acclamations of
joy at every shot from our guns, drowned the
report of the guns, and notwithstanding the
only assistance they could give was to drag
about the guns, they displayed the greatest
courage, and promised to die to a man with
their fathers. The Feuille wilh his warriors
were particularly active in this duty. The
Sauks have, without repeating their gallant con-
duet in the field, bthaved in a manner foreign
to Indian Nations. They, having large fields
of corn, strove one with another, who would be
the most obliging, and furnish the most of
that article to the detachment.
Not being well acquainted with the duties of
a commanding officer, I dreaded reproach by
leaving the garrison, is the reason why I did
not go myself with the detachment below; but
should any other opportunity present itself, I
will risk the leaving the garrison in charge of
some militia, to go and meet the enemy with
all the force I can muster, unless I receive con-
trary orders. The iron three-pounder, we took
with Fort McKay, is without any elevating
screw, a necessary part of the gun we cannot
get made here. I take the liberty to refer you
to letters written to and received from Lieut.
Graham during his absence with the detach-
ment to the Rock river, which will afford you
a more minute detail of the whole management.
That worthy soldier, Sergt. Keating, begs of
me to request you will do him the favor to ac-
cept his warmest acknowledgments for the
honor you have shown him. From his behav-
ior since he left Mackinaw, I have not the
smallest doubt but he will continue to deserve
your approbation of his conduct. I have the
honor, etc.,
Thos. G. Anderson, Capt. Com'd'g.
Sent a barge off for the portage to bring
away the ammunition, and at the same time
to take the dispatches there and forward them
by the barge that came from Mackinaw to Lieut.
Grignon at Green Bay, and for him to forward
to Mackinaw.
Thursday, Sept. 15th. — Nothing material
happened till the afternoon at 6 o'clock.
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
71
when interpreter Frenier arrived from
above, with news that the Sioux would all
leave their villages on the 1-tth inst., to come
and wait at the place I told them till further
orders, except the Little Corbeau with his lodge,
who would come and camp here. This chief
sent word to the Renards above this, that his
Father had told him to destroy the Americans
as much as lay in his power, and he knew these
Renards to be Americans; but at the same time
t' ey were related to the Sioux, on which account
he warned them to be out of his way when he
should come down. That he would be down
with a detachment, and intended to hunt
Americans all winter ; and that whatever of
that description came in his sight he would cut
down. When the Americans were here, they
sent a carrot of tobacco to each village except
his, saying thej- knew him to be too good an
Englishman to be induced to join them. The
Little Corbeau said he was quite proud of the
honor they did him ; but as it was done with a
view to despise him, he could not forget it on
that account, and the only means of retaliation
he had, was to make his young men take a few
scalps, which he would have done before the
sj)ring.
Friday, September 16th. — Got word of some
Puants having killed an ox, and that they were
drying the meat a short distance below the en-
trance of the Oiiisconsin. By allowing them
to go on in this way, without trying to prevent
it, they would in a short time destroy all the
cattle in this region, and leave us destitute of
provisions. I, therefore, ordered Lieut. Bris-
bois, of the Indian department, with one inter-
preter and four men, to go to their lodge and
take whatever meat they had, and order thorn
away.
Fort McKay, Sept. 10, 1814.
Lieut. Brisisois. —
Sir: — Some Puants camped a short distance
below the entrance of the Ouisconsin, having,
in defiance of the orders they have received to
the contrary, killed, within this day or two, an
ox belonging to a citizen of this place; you are
recjuested to go immediately, with one inter-
preter and four of the volunteers, to order them
aw.ay from this, and take what beef they may
have remaining. Yours, etc.,
Thos. G. Anderson, Capt. Comd'g.
At 6, Lieut. Brisbois returned, bringing with
him a little dried meat, and some tallow. I gave
the meat to those that had been to bring it, and
the tallow I kept for the use of the guns. Lieut.
Brisbois brought word that the Puants e.x-
pected to have been taken, and confined in the
garrison. They said they w-re surprised that
we complained that they killed an ox ; that we
would be more surprised when their Father ar-
rived from Mackinaw, for then they would
neither leave an ox, cow or horse in the village.
Saturday, September I7th. — Lieut. Graham,
when at Rock river, found some of the Mis-
souri Indians there, who came with an intention
to see the superintendent; and finding that they
behaved themselves so well in the action, he
promised them some trifling articles from the
King's store. I, accordingly, mustered what I
could, and set off interpreter, Guiilroy, with
them, ordering, at the same time, that he should
remain with the Sauks in case any news should
be received of the enemy's coming up, to get
occular information, and immediately to bring
me word.
Sunday, September 18th. — At 10, assembled
the troops as usual, and read to them the con-
tents of Lieut. Col. McDouall's letter as far as
it regarded them. I then spoke to them in the
following manner: "After reading the con-
tents of Lieut. Col. McDouall's letter to you as
far as it regards Michigan fencibles, volun-
teers, etc., I now take the opportunity to thank
the detachments in general that defeated the
eight American gun-boats at the Rock river, for
their good and spirited conduct during their
absence from this place, and do not make the
smallest doubt but they will receive the thanks
of Lieut. Col. McDouall. I also take this op-
portunity of explaining to you all, the orders
If2
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COIINTY.
of the day, in which you will find the demands
made upon the different corps ; and as it is for
the preservation of this place in general, and
for the good of His Majesty's service, I have
not the smallest doubt but my demands will be
executed without a murmur. From your good
conduct, and attention to your duties since the
Michigans and volunteers so nobly possessed
themselves of this fort, and delivered the citi-
zens of this place from an enemy, the presence
of which was most aggravating to them, I have
every reason to believe I shall not be under the
necessity of going to extremities, a most dis-
agreeable task to one who wishes his fellow-
soldiers and volunteers everything that is good
and glorious."
At 12 o'clock, a Sioux woman from above,
brought word that a party of Gens de Feuille,
with some Yanktons of the Riviere des Moines,
numbering about forty men, were near the Feu-
ille's village, destined for the war path; but
they did not know where the the Feuille, or
Leaf, was ; and having been notified not to go
alone, he went with his warriors to know what
were the intentions of this party. No news
since.
About 2 o'clock, hearing that Winosheek,
an old Puant, was in possession of a pipe and
wamhum for the Sioux, I inquired what was
'the intention of it. The old man brought it to
my room, and showed it to me, saying it was to
ask permission of the Sioux to winter on their
lands between this and the Riviere des Sioux ;
not to go to war on the Sotrax [Sauteurs, or
Chippewas], but, on the contrary, to request all
Indians, of what Nation soever, to join hands,
and not allow an American to come this far.
How true this is, I know not.
Monday, Sept. 19th. — Five Sauks arrived
about 10 o'clock with news that the enemy
were at the entrance of the Riviere des Moines,
but uncertain what were their number, or
whether they were making a fort, or on their
way up here. I, therefore, await interpreter
Guillroy's return, to decide what I will do —
whether to go and meet them, or wait their
arrival here. At 12, sent off interpreter Ren-
ville to notify the Sioux to keep themselves in
readiness, and to assemble from the Prairie a
La Orosse downvrards to hunt till further orders.
Tuesday, Sept. 20th.— Nothing of consequence.
A party of militia at work at the fort. En-
gaged Charles La Pointe at ten shillings a day
to oversee and finish the doubling of some part
of the garrison [pickets] where they are weak.
The three guns kept constantly drilling. Bought
a horse to draw the six-pounder.
Wednesday, Sept. 21st. — At 2 p. m., the barge
arrived from portage with the ordnance stores,
and powder and tobacco for the Indian depart-
ment. A case of round shot for the three-
pounder wanting, and nearly a keg of powder ;
and one-third of a roll of tobacco belonging to
the Indian department missing. About 4 o'clock
in the afternoon six Reiiards, of the Barboul-
liers' band arrived from above to learn the
news. They brought a pipe, and the following
speech from the HarbouUier :
" My Father, why have you not confidence in
me ? I am yours. In everything you do I
wish to be with you. I can only die once, and
the only death I look for is alongside of you.
1 expected you would have sent me word to tell
uie the enemy were coming up. I send you my
pipe to tell you my ideas, and at the same time
to know yours.
"My father, if there are any bad birds, do not,
I beg of you, number me with them. I have
hold of your hand, and will never let it slip ;
but will follow your road as long as I live.
Send me word what you intend doing. I am
ready to follow you. When I went to meet the
bad dogs last time at the Rock river, I had but
a few mouthfuls to give my warriors, but now
I have really too much — what might make a
good feast. My young men are numerous,
stout and hungry."
I replied : "My brethren you must not call
me Father. You have only one Father in this
country, that is the Red Head, Robert Dickson,
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
173
the others are all your brethren. The moment
that the Sauks arrived from below, and told me
thoy had seen the enemy, they supposed, on
their way up here, I sent off an interpreter with
them to inform all the Indians he should see on
his way up, till he should meet the Little Cor-
beau, of the news the Sauks brought. At the
same time to request all to repair to Prairie a
la Crosse, to await the return of interpreter
Guillroy, whom I sent down some days ago to
gain certain information of the enemy. That
on his return I would again send and notify all
the Indians whether I would go, and meet the
enemy below, or await them here ; and that I
had not the smallest doubt, from their coura-
geous conduct heretofore, but they would be
all ready at a moment's warning." I then in-
formed them of the news from Mackinaw, etc.
Capt. Dease gave them a little powder and to-
bacco, and they went off at 7 o'clock in the
evening. In the course of the day, I went out
to the inhabitants to purchase flour, but could
procure none. Tiiere are only two days' rations
of that article in the garrison.
Thursday, Sept. 2-2d. — Capt. Dease assem-
bled the inhabitants at this place, and appealed
to them to try and procure flour. Want of horses,
mills and time were the reasons they gave for
not supplying that article. They promised to
furnish what they can spare as fast as possible;
but not with tiiat energy generally shown by
Uritish subjects on like occasions. Capt. Dease
preferred to go with ammunition to the Sauks.
Friday, Sept. 2.3d. — Capt. Dease set off at 9
o'clock in the morning with three men, accom-
])anied by Thomas, the Sauk chief. Fired a few
rounds from the guns to practice.
Sunday, Sept. 25th. — Assembled the troops
as usual, and immediately after went out and
practiced at the target. Shot six rounds with
the si.x-pounder, five with each of the three-
pounders, and five with a swivel. Confined De-
mairaix, a Michigan private, for refusing to do
his duty when on fatigue, and one of tiie volun-
teers for absolutely refusing to mount guard.
Duncan Campbell made the best shot at the
guns.
Monday, Sept. 2t!th.— Two men of the volun-
teers, Kennet and Grignon, were confined in the
guard-house by the officer of the day, for fight-
ing when on guard. Established a court of
inquir}' to be held to investigate the conduct of
the men in the guard-room. Not being able
to inflict corporal punishment, this method is
adopted in case they are found guilty and merit
punishment. They will be detained in confine-
ment till an occasion offers to send them to
Mackinaw. At 12 o'clock, the court of inquiry
not finding Demairaix and Grignon guilty of
the crimes they were charged with, I had them
released.
Tuesday, Sept. 27th. — At 10, a court martial
was held, when Pierre Emare, private in the
volunteers, was found guilty of neglect of duty
in refusing to mount guard; but the court after
condemning him to be sent to- Mackinaw in
irons, to lose his pay from the time of his en-
gagement, and to lose his share of the prize
money, recommended him to the mercy of the
commanding officer. Finding his crime pro-
ceeded entirely through ignorance, and in con-
sequence of his former good conduct, I ordered
him to be released from confinement to-morrow
morning, and return to his duty. At 2, a canoe
arrived from below, with six Renards, among
tliem Bardack, a chief, with news that the
Americans, seen at the Riviere des Moines,
were those driven back from the Rock river,
who put ashore to burj' some of their dead.
They also complained hard of Capt. Dease
not giving them any powder on his way down.
They also came to inquire about a report circu-
lating amongst them, that the Sioux were assem-
bled to go to war against the Renards and Sauks.
This report was fabricated by the bands of the
Jeune Homme, or Young Man, and Tonnerre
Noir, or Hlack Thunder, Renard Yankee chiefs,
to irritate those Nations against the Sioux, and
by this means to disaffect our Sauks and Renards.
I contradicted the report, and told them it
174
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
sprung from the Little Corbeau having sent
word to the Tonnerre Noir and Jeune Homme,
when they heard of his coming down the
river, to be out of the way, for his Father at
Mackinaw told him to cut down everything
American that he found in the road, no matter
what color or size. In the evening interpreter
Renville arrived from above. The Little Cor-
beau, with 100 of his warriors, would not re-
main above to hunt, lest his presence might
be necessary here sooner than word could reach
him from me. He therefore will be here to-nior-
ro »•, and appears to be determined to remain
till his Father arrives from Mackinaw.
Weilnesday, Sept. 28th.— At 11 o'clock, the
Little Corbeau arrived with 100 men and their
families. With all his young men, he called
upon me, g.ave me a soldier's pipe and every
assurance of his fidelity, and insists, that when
Robert Dickson arrives, he will go to work
with his warriors, to exterminate those Indians
about here that adhere to the Americans. It
was with much difficulty that the Feuille or Leaf
with the assistance of Mr. Renville, who I sent
up for that purpose, prevented Little Corbeau's
falling upon the Renards above this. However,
he promises to be quiet till his Father, Robert
Dickson, arrives; then he, with the Feuille,
will insist upon beginning with the Gens de la
Feuille.
I only said to him, that his having been to
Mackinaw, rendered it unnecessary for me to
give him any advice, or tell him his Father's or-
ders; but requested him not to permit his young
men to injure the people here in killing what few
Americans yet remain. The Bardack, or Ren-
ard, that I yesterday requested to remain to
hear the news from the Little Corbeau himself,
being present, he told them that what he had
said respecting the American Indians was true;
but as to speaking in general terms against
others, he intended to say, that he regarded
every Indian and white soldier, no matter of
what color, as long as they were British sub-
jects, as his brother — the rest his inveterate
enemies, and would act with the greatest vigor
towards both accordingly. He then said: "I
wish to talk with my friend, the Bardack ; but
as I am only on a visit in the house of a brother
soldier, I can say nothing ; however, I will
thank you not to go away to-day, and I will do
myself the pleasure to invite you and talk over
the affairs of our Nations in general, at niy own
wigwam or lodge." I gave them each a glass
of whisky, and among the whole, forty loaves
of bread, which I got with much diffiulty.
Thursday, September 29th. — At about .3 in
the morning, it began to rain excessively, and
thundered and lightened very much. At 10,
the Little Corbeau sent for me to visit his
lodge with the Renards. He related to the
Renards all the talks he had got from his
Father, saying he looked upon all people, no
matter of what Nation, so long as they were
British subjects, as his brethren. "I sent word,"
said he, "to the Renards, at the Riviere des
Ayovois [lowas], when they heard of my com-
ing down, to be out of the way, that my
Father told me to strike everything American
that came in my way; but the soldier you see
here, together with the advice of the Feuille,
have made me withhold my war-club till my
Father arrives ; then if he says, strike, I will
do so with the greatest good will and violence ;
and if he tells me to withhold it, I will do it,
but never without his request. My opinion is,
the nearer we are related, the better we ought
to love each other; and when relations fall out,
our revenge ought to bo the more violent."
Presenting the Renards with a pipe, he said :
"Take this soldier's pipe, and report to all the
Sauks and Renards my discourse and my deter-
mination, and tell them from me that it is not a
good time to be idle or sporting, but every man
must follow my example. If any are my ene-
mies, let them show themselves, and let my
friends do the same'"
He then gave them the pipe, and we ate a
mouthful, after which the Renards answered as
follows: "As to my Father's talks, we know
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
lis
tbatall that comes from his mouth is true and
good. In every village we find some fools. I
have frequently spoken to our relations, the
Jeune Ilomme and Tonnerre Noir, but have not
been ible to bring them to reason. I shall go
to-morrow with your pipe, and deliver them
your discourse. I hope they may open their
ears ; but let the consequence be what it may,
this is the last time I shall counsel them. If
they listen to me, so much the better ; but if
they absolutely persist in evil conduct, and will
not leave it in our Father's power to give life to
their women and children, I shall then be ready
with you to follow our Father's directions. I
have killed Americans, and am always awake,
witli my cass-tete or tomahawk in my hand for
that purpose."
I then told them I was happy to see them
give such friendly proofs of their relationship,
and that as long as they coniinued in the same
sentiments they should not want ; that I was
not left here to give advice or counsel with my
red brethren, but to take care of this fort and
the i)eople about it; that I listened to every-
thing that was going forward, and wrote it
down, that their Father might see it, and that I
had not the smallest doubt but their Father
would be pleased with their present discourse.
I tiien turned to the Reiiards, and told them
when they heard the Little Corbeau speak,
they iieard the talk of the whole Sioux Nation,
and that he must be respected and hearkened to.
Friday, September 30tii. — Nothing material,
except two men, having been out hunting, saw
three Fuant lodges at the entrance of the Ouis-
consin, wiio told them that they had heard by
other Indians that Robert Dickson was near the
portage, and that the Puants were assembling
at the portage to meet him.
Saturday, Oct. 1st. — -At 7, Duncan began to
make the chimneys. He is to have a man to
assist him continually, and to get 400 livres
for each chimney, to be finislied the 15th, and
should be supplied with 100 pounds of pork, and
three pounds of powder. At 8, two men, by the
names of Pierre Vasseur and Jacques Ilebert,
were confined in the guard house ; also a man by
the name of Pierre Provancall, of the volunteers,
the two former for having got out of the fort,
through a port-hole, after 8 o'clock at night, the
latter for having fallen asleep on his post when
on guard; the whole to be examined on Monday
next before a court of inquiry, to be appointed
for that purpose. It appears that Pierre Vas-
seur made use of mutinous language in the fort.
At 12, a FoUe Avoine arrived from the portage,
who brought word that an express had arrived
there ten days ago, with news, that Robert
Dickson was at the bay, when the courier from
the bay left that place ; that he waa bringing a
great number of barges and soldiers, and that
no word was mentioned of the Puants.
Sunday, Oct. 2d. — The troops assembled as
usual ; practiced firing ; fifteen shots were tired ;
only one struck the target ; Manaiger, a private
of the IVIichigans, made the best sliots.
Monday, Oct. 3d. — All hands on fatigue. The
Sioux played at la crosse all day ; several got
sore wounds from the ball and the hurl sticks.
At 7, Antoine Brisbois arrived with a boat load
of corn. Rained excessively.
Tuesday, Oct. 4th. — Notiiing new. Got word
that the Renards from above wished to come
and deliver themselves up. This proceeds from
the Little Corbeau's threats, and the same time
having given a pipe to the Bardack, telling him
his determination, as soon as his father arrives,
to begin and strike on all those that are the
American's friends. The .Jeune Homme arrived
in the village, but did not show himself where
I was. The Sioux continued playing at la
crosse. Yesterday we buried an old woman by
the name of Marie. She died the night before
last. She had been poisoned. A great loss to
this village, she being an excellent old doctress,
particularly for children. She was of the Sioux
Nation, but had been a long time amongst the
white people. Hazy weather.
Wednesday, Oct. 5th. — Several canoes of Ren-
ards arrived from above. Called upon me with
llQ
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
their flag twisted, in consideration of the Little
Corbeau's pipe. I gave them my hand, and at
the same time told them the reason why I did
so. The Sioux finished playing at la crosse.
It is with the greatest ditticulty the commissary
procures provisions for the troops.
Thursday, Oct. 6th. — A beautiful morning.
At 9 o'clock one canoe with six men arrived
from the Feuilles' band for a little powder and
tobacco. Though much in want of those arti-
cles, I have none to give them, and Capt. Dease's
long stay below, obliges them to return in the
morning without this very necessary assistance.
Friday, Oct. Yth.^The Feuilles' young men
did not depart, in expectations that Capt. Dease
would return. At 12, released Pierre Vasseur
and Jacques Hebert from the guard house, as
also Pierre Provancall ; but confined them to
the square on hard labor, the first for eight
days, the second for six days, and the last for
four days. The numerous Indian tribes about
the village, quite destitute of tobacco and am-
munition, are, in a manner, in distress, and Robert
Dickson's arrival is much wished for by all ranks
and colors.
Saturday, Oct. 8th. — ^Capt. Dease's unexpected
long absence obliges me to order Lieut. Graham
to issue a little tobacco to the Sioux, who are
absolutely in want.
Fort McKay, Oct. 8, 1814.
Lieut. Geahaji —
Sir: — The absolute necessity thn Sioux are in
for that article, and Capt. Dease's long absence,
makes it necessary for me to order that you will
immediately issue to Little Corbeau, twenty
pounds of tobacco, of that which Capt. Dease
left in your charge, to be distributed in the
Feuille and Little Corbeau's bands, as they
think proper.
I am, etc.,
Thos. G. Anderson,
Capt. Com'd'g.
Sunday, Oct. 9th. — At 8, yesterday morning,
Capt. Dease arrived from below. Brought in-
terpreter Guillroy with him, who had been at
the American fort at the rapids of the Riviere
des Moines, and brings word that they have
built a fort exactly opposite that river ; that it
is about fifty yards square ; that they saw three
men about the fort, two of whom he supposed
were looking for honey ; the other was about
their boats. They have uncovered their boats
for lumber to cover their houses.
Some of the volunteers refused to take corn
for their rations; and when the troops were all
assembled, I ordered those that had refused
their rations out of the ranks, took away their
guns and forbid every person giving them any
support, or, at their peril, to harbor them, and
gave orders to the officers of the Indian depart-
Tnent to tell the Indians, that if any of them
were found any distance from here, to bring
them back, dead or alive. The were much sur-
prised at the sentence, and immediately wished
to apologize for it, but I would not hear them.
I, at the same time, thanked the others for
not allowing themselves to be led into such a
disgraceful plot.
Monday, October 10th — Capt. Dease distrib-
uted powder and tobacco to the starving Indians
here about; and in order to provide flour for
the garrison, he at the same time was under the
absolute necessity of exchanging powder for
that articler The inhabitants not being able to
thrash their wheat for the want of time, I was
obliged to exempt them from working at the
garrison.
Tuesday, October 11th — Employed the day
in writing letters to Mackinaw, etc.:
Prairie d0 Chikn, Fort McKay,
Oct. 11, 1814.
LiBar. CoL. R. McDouall:
Sir — I have the honor to communicate to you
that yesterday a discovering paity, I had sent
off some time ago, returned with news that five
of the eight gun-boats, that were driven back
from the Rock river (the other three are sup-
posed to have continued their route to St. Louis)
are at the entrance of the Riviere des Moines;
and the Americans have built a fort there, on
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
177
the east side of the Mississippi, about 140
leagues from this, and about half way from this
to St. Louis, two leagues below the fort of the
Rapids. Interpreter Guillroy, who headed this
jiarty of eight Sauks, reports to have been within
musket shot of the fort for a whole day, and
discovered throe men, two of which he supposed
were looking for honey; and wishing to take
them prisoners, prevailed upon the Indians not
to fire upon them. By this means they unfortu-
nately made their escape. The third man was
walking about the boat, all of which they have
uncovered, and made use of the boards to cover
their houses.
The fort is about fifty yardg square, and is
picketed in with very large oak pickets, about
twelve feet high, and is situated on a high hill
that terminates at the water side where their boats
are hauled up. They have cleared all the trees
and brush from the back part of their fort to
the distance of musket shot; but in front, to
the water side, they have left a thick woocT
standing, I suppose to cover their going for
water. At the north side of their fort, about
700 or 800 yards distance, is a small hill or ele-
vation, which rather exceeds the fort in height,
and entirely covers the approach of troops till
the e.\tremity of the hill is attained. The Mis-
sissippi at this place is about 1,000 or 1,200
yards wide, and clear from islands. From the
expeditious manner in which they have for-
warded their work in so short a time, I am led
to believe they must be about 500 strong. What
their real plan is, I cannot say; but I conceive
that their object is to assemble a strong force
with a large supply of provisions, and either to
attempt to come up here this fall late, or make
* a grand attack in the spring, and use every
means to destroy the Indian tribes on the bor-
ders of the Mississippi.
A Pottawatamie Indian, liaving been taken
prisoner some time ago by the Americans, made
liis escape about the time the eigiit gun-boats
left St. Louis for this place, and reported to the
Sauks, that an expedition of 500 men left St.
Louis at the same time, with the eight gun-
boats, to proceed up the Missouri* under a pre-
tence of friendship with our Indians on that
river, offer them terms of accommodation, give
them a few goods and at the moment the In-
dians would be distributing the goods among
themselves, the Americans were to fall upon
them and cut them to pieces. This was also
the plan they were to have adopted at the Rock
river, when they hoisted their white flag. Th's
news, coming by an Indian to the other Na-
tions, has a good effect, because it is firmly be-
lieved; and convinces them what dastardly ene-
mies they have to contend with; and did the
Americans really wish or intend to come to
terms with them, the Indians will be too appre-
hensive of treachery, to admit them to come to
a parley.
There is not the smallest doubt but the ene-
my aim at this place, and their first object will
be (as they have now no hopes of making peace
or destroying the Indians by their vile statagems)
to drive them, if possible, off the borders of the
Mississippi, to insure for themselves a free
passage or communication with their boats to
this place. This object obtained, they would
with ease overcome our Indians, and in a short
time make themselves very formidable here.
To obviate this, I take the libe'-ty to observe
that our Indians ought to be amply supplied
with ammunition; and some troops with a heavy
gun would be indispensably necessary to destroy
their gun-boats, and make a breach in their
forts.
The forts they build are constructed in such
a manner, that 300 or 400 men knock up one in
the course of three weeks, composed of wood,
earth and stone, so strong as to bid defiance to
the small guns that are here; and without regu-
lar troops to cover the guns, and to show the
example in scaling or making a breach, no
attacking party can hope for success. For this
purpose, in my opinion, a twenty-four pound
* Lieut. Col. Henry Dodge's expedition up the Missouri,
against n band of hostile Miamies, September, 1814, capture
intr 162.
Its
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
carronade, being liglit, would be the most
proper gun.
Our troops are now on rations of corn one
day, and flour and pork the next; but the hatter
will, in a few days, be at an end. There are
still a few cattle remaining; but I tliink it ad-
visable to keep them for the present in case of
an attack. The numerous bands of Indians that
are daily assembling here, are anxious for Rob-
ert Dickson's arrival, not only in hopes of re-
ceiving supplies of ammunition, etc., to snjv
port them during the winter, but in hopes that
there may be- an expedition sent down the Mis-
sissippi. The satisfaction afforded the Indians
on hearing Robert Dickson's talk to them
through Capt. Dease, was very great, and ani-
mated them exceedingly.
The mechanics I have employed about the
garrison, etc., being poor people that live by
their daily labor, I get them paid at short inter-
vals by Mr. Brisbois, who has been very oblig-
ing in that way, and has furnished every-
thing in his power for the use of the govern-
ment. I am particularly under obligations to
him for furnishing flour to the troops during
the time the inhabitants were getting in their
harvest. The militia in general have been at-
tentive, and have assisted, when occasion re-
quired, to work at the garrison. The crop of
wheat, and Indian corn, has, by no means, been
so good as was expected; and if tlie troops are
all obliged to winter here, there will be a defi-
ciency of those articles.
Four Sauks have this moment arrived from
the Rock river, and report that a party of tlieir
Nation and Kickapoos, that had been at war
on the Missouri, returned six days ago to their
village. After having attacked an American
gun-boat about thirty leagues below the Riviere
des Moines, and could make nothing of it, they
proceeded to the Missouri, where they took two
scalps and on their way back, saw six gun- boats
coming up, but cannot say whether tliey are
destined for the fort at Cap au Gris, twenty
leagues above St. Louis, or the one at the Ri-
viere des Moines. The Sauks, since Capt.
Dease took them the supply of gunpowder, are
daily detaching themselves by small parties to
lay in wait for the workmen about the new fort.
On examining the ordnance stores, sent out
by Lance Corporal Haywood, there proves a de-
ficiency of a whole case of three-pound round
shot, thirty rounds less than mentioned fn
Sergt. Pilmore's account. I take the liberty to
enclose to you three different lists of officers
and men that were here present, or on command
on the 24th of July, the 24th of August, and the
24th of September, and remark in the margin
at what dates certain oflicers and men left this
place. Not having the regular forms to make
out the pay lists, etc., I trouble you with those
lists to give an idea of the forces here.
The principal expenditures have been for me-
chanics, flour, and Indians, the whole of which
will not exceed £ 350 currency, the exact
amount of which I will transmit as soon as I
get the regular form. Tliis garrison is much in
want of a flag, and the articles of war.
I have the honor to be, etc.,
Thos. G. Anderson,
Capt. Comd'g.
Wednesday, Oct. 12th. — Raining all day ex-
cessively, prevented Lieut. Graham's marching.
Tliursday, Oct. 1 3th. — Weather cleared up at
10, and at 4 in the afternoon Lieut. Graham set
off. In the evening, he having forgot some
things, sent back a man with interpreter Berthe.
Friday, Oct. 14th — Nothing of consequence,
except that the vagabond, the Tonnerre Noir,
arrived. He neither showed his flag, nor called
upon me.
Saturday, Oct. 15th — Having borrowed a keg
of gun-j)Owder some days ago from Mr. Giard,
for use in case of necessity, and flndiug no other
means of encouraging the farmers to make flour,
I gave it to Capt. Dease to exchange for flour
or other provisions.
Sunday, Oct. 16th — Practicing at the target
was the means of expending much ammunition,
left it off; but had the men drilled. In the eve-
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
179
ning two Folles Avoine women arrived from
Green Bay, one month on the passage. They
say Robert Dickson was to be at the bay about
the 1st of October; that he was bringing with
him a number of Court Orielles, all the Folles
Avoines, and upwards ef 100 soldiers; that the
Nancy had taken two American vessels, and that
the Sarcel was the first Indian that got on board,
for which he got a wani-pum collar.
Monday, Oct. 17th — Began the northeast
block-house. The Renards made a straw man,
or a man of straw, and challenged the Sioux to
strike upon him, which they did, and gave them
a number of their arms, utensils and fineries.
Bought six cords of wood from Champegne,
which I have not yet paid him for. In the eve-
ning Lieut. Graham returned, bringing with
him Mr. Rolette, from Mackinaw, who brought
me letters from Col McDouall, etc. As time
will not admit of my copying, they are filed in
the desk.
Tuesday, Oct. 18th. — Began to write letters,
to send off Lieut. Graham with them. At 4
o'clock in the afternoon, fired a royal salute for
the good news from Mackinaw.
Wednesday, Oct. 19th. — As I received orders
from Col. McDouall to discharge the Green Bay
volunteers, I did so. I got money from Mr.
Rolette to pay them off. I issued a proclama-
tion that neither provisions nor lead should go
out of this post, knowing that an order was
sent here from Green Bay, and the demands we
had for those articles for the government, were
my reasons.
Thursday, Oct. 20th— The little Corbeau
called a council, when he notified us that part of
the Sioux were going to return home. Mr.
Dcase, knowing that I had received four kegs
of gun-powder for the Indians, asked me for
one to give the returning Siouxs. Finding
it requisite, I consented, and gave it to him.
Explained to them in a few words what Col.
McDouall had ordered me to do. Finished
my dispatches for Mackinaw. My letters being
too long to copy, I have filed them with other
papers.
Friday, Oct. 21st — Louison Berthe, interpret-
er in the Indian department, having been con-
fined some days ago, by order of Capt. Dease,
for having refused to obey orders, requested to
speak with me, or to get permission to come
and apologize for his past bad conduct. I sent
him word I had nothing to do with him.
Sunday, Oct. 23d. — Assembled the troops as
usual, and informed them that they were to be
mustered, and paid off to-morrow.
Monday, Oct. 24th. — Mustered the troops,
and paid the volunteers up to the 24th inst.,
Mr. Rolette having furnished the necessary
money for that purpose.
Tuesday, Oct. 25th.— Paid off the detachment
of Michigan Fencibles up to the 24th inst., Mr.
Rolette having furnished the necessary money
for that purpose.
Wednesday, Oct. 26th. — Capt. Dease having
received a letter from Mr. Dickson, agent and
superintendent of the western Nations, wherein
he mentions to him to allow no person to inter-
fere with him with respect to the Indians, I
gave up to him everything in my charge be-
longing to the Indian department, for which I
received his receipt.
Thursday, Oct. 27th.— Mr. Rolette having,
since his arrival, kept selling rum to the troops,
etc., I was under the necessity of putting up a
proclamation forbidding the sale of spirituous
liquors; for as long as this custom of allowing
the men to get drunk lasts, nothing can be done
about the fort. Mr. Aird arrived in the even-
ing.
Friday, Oct. 28th, — Mr. Aird brought news
that Lieut. Graham was promoted to captain in
the Indian department, and Sergt. Keating as a
lieutenant in the provincial volunteer artillery,
but as this was only verbal, I made no orders
on that score.
Saturday, Oct. 29th. — Mr. Rolette having been
ordered to supply one of his horses for fatigue to-
day at thefort,and refusing to obey the order.
180
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
Capt. Dease requested me to send a guard for the
horse, which I did, because Mr. Rolette having
refused, showed a bad example, and prevented
a number of the inhabitants that were ordered
to-day, from doing liieir duty.
Sunday, Oct. .30th. — In the evening a party of
Renards from below, at the Riviere du D'Inde,*
brought some deer meat, which they disposed
of in the village.
Monday, Oct. 31st. — Mr. Aird having brought
with him a keg of wine tapped it the day after
his arrival, and was very obliging, it being an
article not common in this place, in making al-
most a general business of it, till there was no
more. To-day the commissary got quite drunk,
and was very abusive to every person, no mat-
ter who. A drunken man is always annoying
to a sober one, and as Mr. Honore came into
ray house quite drunk, with an intention to be
as abusive to me as to others, I put him out of
doors; and as I had not drank a drop of liquor
for some days, I could not put up with his
abuse, and sent for the guard to take him away;
but before the guard arrived, he was conveyed
to his quarters.
Tuesday, Nov. 1st. — Being all Saint's Day,
no work was done. Three Puants arrived from
Ouisconsin. No news.
Wednesday, Nov. 2d. — Put up an advertise-
ment ts procure wood and candles for the use of
the garrison, as the season is advancing fast.
Mr. Honore persisting in his obstinacy, I was
under the necessity of depriving him of his em-
ployment as commissary, for which purpose I
wrote him a note, desiring him to deliver every-
thing he had belonging to the commissary de-
partment, and deliver it to Lieut. Brisbois.
Thursday, Nov. 3d. — Rainy weather has
been a great detriment to advancing the work
of the fort.
Friday, Nov. 4th. — Mr. Rolette sent off a
barge to get provisions, to accomplish which, I
•Turkey river, a tributary ol the Mississippi, about thirty
miles below Prairie du Chien, on the Iowa side of the
stream. On Mellish's map, of 1816, a Renard of Fox village
is noted on the upper side of Turltey river, at its mouth.
was obliged to let him have six men of the vol-
unteers.
Saturday, November 5th. — Three men of the
volunteers got permission to return to their
homes. Bought them a canoe and gave them
rations. To conduct them, interpreter Honore
got permission, with John Campbell, to ac-
company them till they meet Robert Dickson.
Sunday, November 6th.— Nothing of conse-
quence.
Monday, November 7tli. — Tried every means
to purchase wood for the fort. Mr. Rolette
having offered to take the contract at the ex-
travagant rate of twenty shillings per cord of
wood delivered here, I deferred entering into
the contract till I got very particular informa-
tion from every individual about the place.
Tuesday, November 8th. — Got a calash and
went out to the farms to try and get tlie wood
necessary for the fort, contracted for in small
quantities, to give an opportunity to every per-
son of gaining something during the winter ;
but not finding any person that would under-
take even a cord, 1 was obliged to contract with
Mr. Joseph Rolette for 300 cords, at twenty
shillings per cord.
Wednesday, November 9ih — Being ration day,
and the conductor having nothing but bustards,
the Michigans did not wish to take one pound
of that meat for their day's rations. However,
as it is good, wholesome food, and agreeable to
Mr. Rolette's contract willi the government
they were obliged to accept it.
Thursday,November lOth-Xothiiig new. Con-
tinual rain and cold.
Friday, November 1 1th — .John Campbell, who
went from this place witli interpreter Honore
to meet Mr. Dickson, returned, saying he had
been to the portage, and getting no news of the
re-inforcement, therefore returned.
Saturday, November 12th — Violent rain. The
Little Corbeau called a council and meditated
going off; but Mr. Dease and myself, thinking
it best that his band should remain a few days
longer, in case Mr. Dickson should arrive, and
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
181
might be wanted, they agreed to stay, and Mr.
Dease gave them twelve bushels of com and
forty loaves of bread.
Sunday, November 13th — At 12 o'clock, three
men, of the Gena de la Feiiille, arrived under
the "Buffalo that Plays ;" they were received
as secret enemies, and got no assistance from
us.
Monday, November 14th — A Folle Avoine
canoe arrived and told us Mr. Dickson would
probably be here in two or three days.
Tuesday, November 15th — A violent storm of
rain all d<ay. Nothing new.
Wednesday, November 16th-Cold north wind.
Not able to plaster in the fort.
Thursday, November I7th — Continued very
cold. Being ration day, I ordered one and a
half pounds bustard meat be issued ; one pound
of that meat not by any means being equal to
that quantity of venison or beef. Bought a
keg of high wines of .Mr. Brisbois, at $14 the
gallon, so by reducing it to be able to give, in
this cold weather, a gill of whisky to each man
on fatigue, etc.
Frida)^, November 18th — Paid the masons for
making two chimneys, £49, 16s., 8d. At 10
o'clock three Sauk canoes arrived, bearingeach a
flag. They are all in winter quarters at the
Riviere des Ayouais ; that is part, of three dif-
ferent Nations, Sauks, Kickapoos and Renards.
They bring word that the American fort, at the
foot of the Riviere des Moines Rapids, was
abandoned about the 20th of October. The
Americans had burnt the fort and proceeded
to the Illinois.
Saturday, November 19lh — Continual rain and
cold. A report was spread that the Sauks had
turned against us, and that those seventeen
Sauks that arrived on the 18th were come with
an intention to take away the women from this
place. After making every inquiry, found the
report to be groundless.
Sunday, November 20th. — At 10 o'clock the
Sauks called a council, when they pressed very
hard to get a trader to their village; but wo
told them we were not masters of the traders,
and, at any rate, there was only one, who
bought a few goods merely to support the
troops of this post ; but I was in daily expecta-
tion of seeing their Fatlier, when no doubt they
would receive ample support for the winter.
But in the event of their Father's not coming,
I would even go so far as to take powder from
the big guns, to assist them.
Monday, November 21st. — Last evening the
Feuille, with twenty-one of his 3-oung men, ar-
rived, in hopes of seeing Mr. Dickson. This
evening twenty of the Gens de la Feuilles ar-
rived — bad Indians, rather American inclined.
Tuesday, Nov. 22d. — Called a council of all
the Indians and whites here, wherein I told the
traders to sell no powder to the Gens de la
Feuilles; that in the event of Mr. Dickson's not
coming, we should want all the powder the
traders had, to furnish a little to our allies. The
Feuille and Little Corbeau both spoke and ap-
proved of what I had done, and abused the
Gens de la Feuilles very much for their bad
conduct in adhering to the Americans.
Wednesday, iJov. 23d. — The I^ittle Corbeau
called a council of all the Sauks, Kickapoos
and Renards present, and gave them a pipe,
assuring them of his friendship towards them,
and his determination to support them in the
war against the Americans.
capt. andersox's military orders.
Fort McKay, 1814.
In case of an alarm, two shots will be fired
from the six-pounder, when every man, the
militia not excepted, will immediately repair
to the garrison.
When any Bri-tish flag arrives, or leaves this
post, a swivel will be fired to salute such flag,
unless otherwise ordered by the commanding
officer.
August 1 1th.— Ordered that an interpreter and
twelve of the volunteers go off early to-morrow
morning, in order to bring up the barges that
went adrift from this place, and, according to
Indian reports, are lying on sand-banks a few
182
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
leagues below. Seven men of the Michigan
fencibles, with the artillery men, take lessons
at the cannon daily, that is, immediately after
parade, at 6 o'clock in the morning, and before
parade in the evening. Three of the Michigans
will be daily employed in making leaden balls
for the guns and swivels. One of the officers,
taken from the roster, with three interpreters,
militia, or privates will do patrol duty every
night. The patrol will be appointed by the
officer of the day, and will walk around the
village every two hours during the night, and
will take up any stragglers that may be going
about after — o'clock, n) matter who or what
he may be, unless he can give the countersign.
A countersign is to be given every night, by
the commanding officer, to such officers as he
may think necessary, and to the officer of patrol,
and sergeant of the guard. Any officer or pri-
vate, to whom the commanding officer may give
the countersign, on being convicted of having
divulged it to any person whatever, will be im-
mediately put in close confinement, and kept
there till an opportunity offers to send him into
Mackinaw for his trial, as the enormity of the
crime would be out of the reach of any court-
martial that can be iield here for the present.
August 12th. — No Indian, man, woman or
child, will be allowed to enter the fort without
orders from the commanditig officer. This is
ordeied in consequence of there being, among
the Renards particularly, many Indians who are
bad subjects, and cannot be distinguished by
some of the officers of the day.
August 13th. — ^The absolute necessity of lend-
ing every assistance to save the harvest, makes
it absolutely requsite to allow the farmers to
keep it their work, and not to assemble, as
ordered, to-morrow at 10 o'clock; but they will
make it a point to appear under arms every
Sunday after this, at 10 o'clock in the morning,
before the fort door, unless some urgency may
require it to be otherwise ordered.
August Hth. — Lieut. Brisbois having brought
word that a fine large American boat, covered
as a gun-boat, was lying a little above Fort Mad-
ison, on the shore quite near the water, ordered
that Lieut. Graham, with one interpreter
and si.x men, go for the barge. When they
reach the Rock river, or at any time during the
voyage, if Lieut. Graham gets any certain news
of the enemy's approach, he will either come
back himself with the men, or send back, as he
finds most requisite. When he gets to the Rock
river, he will give a carrot of tobacco to the
chiefs, soldiers and braves, and request of them,
as many as he thinks fit to go with him, not
only to assist in bringing up the barge, but to
guard him against any of the Sauks, etc., that
may be ill-disposed, from the Missouri; and if
he can prevail on the Indians to assist him in
bringing the barge up here, they shall be well
paid when the re-inforcement arrives from
Mackinaw; otherwise to try and run her up into
the Rock river, that I can send for her from
here. In case he can find no means of getting
her up, he will set fire to and burn her, to pre-
vent her falling into the enemy's hands.
August 15th. — Orde-ed tliat a fatigue l)arty
will, to-morrow, if the weather will permit, be
employed in repairing a small breast-work at the
lo«^er end, and one at the upper end of the vil-
lage ; and that carpenters be employed in
mounting a half-pound swivel.
August 16th. — -The patrol will be suspended
for the present, as a jiarty has gone down be-
low, and will keep directly in the enemy's way;
but the principal object of this is, to afford ev-
ery means possible to assist in getting in the
harvest. We have only a very short allowance
of flour, three barrels remaining. To-morrow
the artificers will be employed in widening the
passage through the fort, in order to run out
the guns on three field carriages.
August I7th. — The artificers will comiuence,
to-morrow, making scaffolds for the sentries, to
elevate them above the pickets. Ordered that
the voulunteers, when on guard, if they are not
attentive to their duties, as sentries ought to be,
%^/^>Zrtyi^
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
185
shall be assigned to the same duty the next day,
and so continue till they are attentive.
August 18th. — To-morrow morning at 6
o'clock, a party of officers and interpreters are
to begin and practice the use of the three-pound-
er, commencing at 6 o'clock, until otherwise or-
dered, the exercise to be of two hours duration
daily.
August 19th. — Ordered, that the commissary
take every means to get in flour as fast as possi-
ble. As there are no articles in the store, that
will answer the inhabitants in exchange for
their flour, he will give orders on Michael
Brisbois, Sr., for any flour he may purchase, till
further orders.
August 20th. — Having the other three-pound-
er mounted, it is ordered thatti^ie two guns drill
in brigade, twice every day, Sunday excepted,
and to practice sham battles. The bombardier
will be active in getting all the guns and swiv-
els in the highest order, as expeditiously as pos-
sible.
August 2 1st. — Ordered that black-smiths be
employed to do such work as is necessary about
the guns.
August 22d. — Ordered, that all accounts, of
flour and other articles borrowed, be settled, or
made out, by the 25th inst.
August 2-3d. — Ordered, that as Chesier, the
black-sinilh, is idle, and does not work as be
ought to do, another black-smith be employed,
and having no tools, will make use of Chesier's
shop, etc., till the work necessary about the
guns be finished.
August 24th. — Ordered, that two lieutanants
of the Indian department, namely, I,ieul. Gra-
ham and Lieut. Brisbois, and three interpreters,
Augustin Rock, I. B. Guillroy, Francois Bou-
clire (lit La Malice, with Bombardier Keating,
eight Michigan fencibles, and sixteen of the
volunteers, with a brass three-pounder, and
two swivels in the gun-boat, and a barge, be all
ready to march the 27th inst., on an expedition
against the Americans, in order to meet them
on their way up here at the Rock river, and as-
sist the Sauk Nation of Indians in the preserva-
tion of their wives and children.
Lieut. Graham will take the command. The
commissary will issue fifteen days full rations
of pork, and five days full rations of flour. In-
terpreter Renville will leave this place early to-
morrow morning, and proceed with all haste to
the chief of the Feuilles, and inform him of the
expedition going below, and tell him that I re-
quest he will come down immediately, with as
many of his young men as he can possibly
spare, and go down and assist the Sauks; and at
the same time to tell him to send word to the
Little Corbeau, etc., to move this way immedi-
ately; but to remain about the Prairie a La
Crosse, till further orders, and as soon as the
Little Corbeau arrives there, he will send word
and let me know, and Mr. Renville will return
here as soon as possible.
August 25th. — Ordered, that the Sauk chief,
Thomas, leave this place to-morrow morning,
for the Sauks at Rock river, to inform them,
that an expedition will leave here on the 27th,
for that place. Lieut. Graham will have every-
thing ready to march at 8 o'clock on that day.
The men in general, going on the expedition
below, are destitute of shirts. It is, therefore,
ordered, that the commanding officers will give
to such as he finds in absolute want, an order
on Mr. Brisbois, to furnish them such necessities,
and it will be deducted from their pay, when
they are paid.
Aug. 26th. — Ordered, that the commissary aug
meiit the rations for the expedition going below,
giving each man ten -ounces of pork, and one
and a half pounds of flour. Those that remain
here, will have six ounces of pork, and two
pounds of flour.
Aug. 27th. — Ordered that do the
duty of interpreter, from this date, till further
orders, and that he receive the pay and allow-
ances that other interpreters do. The Sioux
and Renards will leave this place to-morrow
morning, to go and join the e.xi)cdition to the
Rock river. The commissary will furnish the
12
186
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
Sioux six bushels of wheat, and the Renards
four, for their provisions, till they reach the
Sauks.
Aug. 28th. — Ordered that Capt. Grignon pre-
pare himself to leave this place, to-raonow morn-
ing at 10, for Mackinaw, with dispatches, and
that an interpreter go, expressly to notify the
Little Corbeau's band that the enemy are coming
up, and direct him to camp somewhere about
the Prairie a La Crosse, till further orders. The
militia having been ordered to parade at 10
o'clock this morning, many of them came with-
out guns, and some of them did not come at all.
It is, therefore, ordered that when in future
the militia are called out, if they do not all ap-
pear at the hour appointed, with their arms,
those disobeying such orders shall be liable to
a fine of fifteen dollars, to be levied on their
goods and chattels, otherwise to be confined in
the guard house, during the commanding offi-
cer's pleasure.
Aug. 29th. — Ordered that, as Capt. Grignon
is now gone, and no officer of the bay volunteers
here, what few of his company remain be in-
cluded in Capt. Anderson's company, till fur-
ther orders.
Aug. 30th. — That two men be employed saw-
ing boards and planks for the use of the garri-
son.
Aug. .31st. — Ordered that interpreter Frenier,
with three mei), set off to-morrow morning, to
go and inform the Little Corbeau, as mentioned
in orders of the 28th inst., lest the express the
Feuille sent should fail.
Sept. 1st. — Ordered that the commissary tell
the inhabitants, if they do not be more active in
making flour for the use of the troops, that men
will be placed in their barns and mills by the
commanding officer to thrash and grind their
wheat, for the use of the garrison. That the
men so employed will be paid from the produce
of their flour, and for the balance the govern-
ment will be accountable to the different indi-
vidual owners.
Sept. 2d. — Ordered, that interpreter Grignon
leave this place to-morrow morning with four
men to take flour to the detachment gone to the
Rock river.
Sept. 3d. — Ordered, that the commissary ex-
change with the inhabitants, as often as the
opportunity may oflier, whisky for flour or wheat,
till further orders.
Sept. 4th. — Ordered, that no person be allowed
to go into the fort, except those accustomed to
do duty, without the permission of the officer of
the day.
Sept. 5th. — Ordered, that a mare and colt,
belonging to one Fontaine, a Canadian, who left
here three years ago, and ever since has resided
in Illinois, be taken and broken in, for the use
of the garrison.
Sept. 6th. — Ordered, that the fort gate be
shut every evening at 8 o'clock ; and the guards
be changed at 7 o'clock in the morning, till fur-
ther orders.
Sept. Tth. — Ordered, that the four Sauks, who
brought letters from Lieut. Graham, leave this
place to-morrow morning, to return to the Rock
river.
Sept. 14th. — Ordered, that a barge leave this
place under interpreter Rock's command, with
eight volunteers, and the three men that came
in the wooden canoe from the portage, to go
and bring the ordnance stores, etc. Also, that
Lance Corporal Heywood be attaclied to the
guns, under Sergt. Keating, aud tlial the officers
and men, from the detachment to the Rock
river, return to their duty in the garrison, as
usual.
Sept. 18th. — Ordered, that the Michigan fenci-
bles, and Lance Corporal Haywood, of the 10th
Volunteer band, with ten volunteers and seven
militia, will be attached to the guns, and be
drilled daily, and now and then practice firing,
under Sergt. Keating, of the Royal artillery. A
sufficient number of men will be selected from
the volunteers and militia, as mentioned above,
to man the six-pounder, and the two three-
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
IS"?
pounders. Such men will be exempt from other
duty till otherwise ordered.
Ordered, that eight of the volunteers, in-
cluding one sergeant and one corporal, mount
guard daily; that the guards be relieved at
7 o'clock every morning. That the guards
take up their quarters, in the garrison, for
the time being, and not absent themselves,
on any pretense, wathout the permission of
the officer of the day, whose business it will
be to attend when the guards are relieved
and see that all the men are as clean as
circumstances will admit of ; and see that they
have on them a cartouchbox and bayonet, that
their guns are in good order,and that the sentries
are regularly relieved by the corporal.
Ordered, that carpenters be employed, and a
party of the volunteers, when not otherwise
on duty, together with a party of militia, be
kept on fatigue, in order to repair the fort.
Wlien any of the inhabitants or militia are or-
dered with a team of horses or oxen, a reasona-
ble allowance will be made them for such team.
The militia, when on fatigue (provisions being
scarce), will furnish themselves with food, for
which an e(|uiva1ent in pay will be made them.
All men on actual duty will I'eceive one gill of
whisky per day, till otherwise ordered.
Lieut. Porlior, of the volunteers, and Lieuts.
Graham and Brisbois of the Indian department,
will each in turn, do the duty of officer of the
day, having an eye on the garrison in general,
keeping everything in order, and reporting to
the commanding officer, the state of the new
guards when mounted, as well as every other
material circumstance coming to his knowledge.
Sept. 19th. — Ordered, that the men drilling at
the guns, under Sergt. Keating of the Royal artil-
lery, be all present, at the hours of 7 o'clock
in the morning, and .3 o'clock in the afternoon ;
and should any be absent, Sergt. Keating will
report them to the offiier of the day, who will
report them to the commanding officer.
Ordered, that the commissarj' attend at 7
o'clock every morning at the fort, to issue ra-
tions of whisky, agreeable to a requisition
signed by the officer of the day.
Sept. 23d. — Ordered that four shots be fired
from each of the three guns, every Sunday, till
otherwise ordered. A target will be placed in
a convenie'it place to prevent any accident, and
at the same time so placed as to be able to re-
cover the round shot.
Sept. '26th — Ordered, that a court of inquiry
be held in Fort McKay, at 10 o'clock this
morning, to inquire into the conduct of Pierre
Emerie, of the volunteers, and Solomon Demai-
raix, of the Michigans, both privates, who were
confined in the guard house yesterday, for diso-
bedience of orders. Also to examine Pierre
Kennet and Pierre Grignon, Jr., both privates
in the volunteers, for quarreling and fighting
while on guard this morning. The court to
consist of Lieuts. Graham and Brisbois, of the
Indian department, and Lieut. Porlier of the
volunteers, Lieut. Graham to be president.
Ordered, that no whisky be exchanged for
any other article; but what whisky now remains
will be kept for the use of the guards and fa-
tigue parties, unless the commissary may re-
ceive other orders from the commanding officer.
The court of inquiry finding that Demairaix,
of the Michigans and Kennet and Grignon of
the volunteers, who had been confined, were
not guilty of a crime to merit punishment, they
are therefore released from the guard-house.
But Pierre Emerie, of the volunteers, acknowl-
edging his crime, a court martial is ordered to
be held to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock for his
trial. The court to consist of Lieut Graham,
of the Indian department, president, and Lieut.
Brisbois of the Indian department, and Lieut.
Porlier, of the volunteers, members.
Sept. 28th. — A court martial, for the trial of
Pierre Emerie, of the volunteers, having been
held this day, of which Lieut. Graham was
president, and Lieuts. Brisbois and Porlier,
members, where he, the said Emerie, was found
guilty of disobedience of orders, in refusing to
mount guard. The court condemned the pris-
188
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
oner to be sent in irons to Macliinaw,to lose bis
pay for tbe time of his service, and to lose bis
share of tlie prize money taken in tlie capitu-
lation of Fort McKay. But being recommended
to the clemency of tbe commanding officer,
and tbe court being of the opinion that bis dis-
obeying orders proceeded more through igno-
rance, than a wish to be mutinous, the com-
manding officer, therefore, orders, that be be
released from confinement, and immediately
return to bis duty.
October,,lst. — Ordered, that on Monday next,
every man not on guard, etc., be employed on
fatigue, to finish as soon as possible, tbe re-
pairing of the fort. Also that a court of inquiry
be held on Monday next at 12 o'clock to exam-
ine into the crimes, for which Pierre Vasseur
and Jacques Hebert, of tbe Micbigans, were
confined this morning, Lieut. Duncan Graham
to be president, and Lieuts. Brisbois and Por-
lier, members.
Oct. 3d. — Ordered, from to-morrow morning,
only half rations of liquor will be issued to tbe
troof)s.
Oct. Vtb. Ordered, that Pierre "Vasseur and
Jacques Hebert, both privates in the Michigan
fencibles, be released from the guard-house,
and both confined to tbe square at hard labor,
tbe former for eight days, and tbe latter for six
from this date. And that Pierre Provancall, of
the volunteers, who was confined for having al-
lowed the above mentioned Michigan fencibles
to go out of the garrison at night without leave,
be released from the guardhouse, and confined
to hard labor in the square for four days, after
which, all shall return to their duty, as soon as
their respective terms of bard labor have ex-
pired.
Oct. 8th. — Ordered, that one day's rations be
issued as usual to the troops, and one of hulled
Indian corn; that is, every other day one quart
of corn be issued, in place of pork and flour, till
further orders.
Oct. 11th — Ordered, thatLient. Graham, with
interpreter Berthe, and five men, namely, E.
Piche, Bourdon, Langlos, La Honde and Le
Mire, leave this place to-morrow morning with
dispatches for Mackinaw,tobe delivered to Lieut.
Grignon at Green Bay, from whence they will
return here immediately.
Ordered, tbnt there will be no more practic-
ing witli the guns at a target,till further orders.
Oct. 15tb. — Ordered, that an ox be bought
and that four day's rations be issued at a time,
that is, one pound of beef, and two pouiids of
flour, for one day, and one quart of corn for the
second day, and so on alternately.
Oct. 18th. — Ordered, that at 4 o'clock this
afternoon, a royal salute be fired, and that all
the troops and Indians be present. Immedi-
ately after which, a council will be held to in-
form the troops and Indians tbe news from
Mackinaw*
Oct. 20th. — Ordered, that the troops be mus-
tered, on the 24th inst., at 10 o'clock in the
morning; and on tbe 25th, as Mr. Rolette has
offered to furnish money for that purpose, they
will be paid up to the 24th.
Oct. 21st. — Ordered, that Lieut. Brisbois, of
the Indian department, act as overseer of the
workmen at the fort, for which be shall be en-
titled to receive an additional allowance of pay,
until further orders, of five shillings per day.
November 3d. — Ordered, that Mr. Honore,
lately acting commissary, for which he re-
ceived tbe pay of a lieutenant in tbe volun-
teers, be suspended from that duty and pay till
further orders. This is ordered, from bis hav-
ing, when drunk, made use of most disre-
spectful and abusive language to the command-
ing officer, in defiance of all military order and
discipline.
Ordered, that Lieut. Brisbois, of tlie Indian
department, receive to-morrow morning of Mr.
Honore, all the accounts and .stores lately in
his charge as commissary, till further orders.
*This probably refers to the repulse of the Americans in
their attack on that place, under Majs. Croirhan and
Holmes, Aug-. 41h, 1814, and the subsequent capture of two
American vessels enfrag:ed in blockading' Mackinaw, as men-
tioned in Lient. Col. McDouall's letter to Capt. Anderson,
Sept. a3d, 1814.
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
180
Nov. 0th — Ordered, that the militia be ex-
empt from appearing in parade in future on
Sundaj's, till further orders.
Nov. I2th.— Ordered, that no more drilling
l)e practiced for the present, because the men
are continually on fatigue, and the rainy season
has made the parade-groun d too muddy.
Nov. 17th. — Ordered, that a keg of high
wines be bought, and that the acting commis-
sary issue to each man on actual duty one gill
of liquor, till further orders. Also, as bustard
meat is not equal in bulk or sustenance to oilier
meat, that one and a half pounds of that meat
must be issued per ration, till further orders.
Nov. ^Sth. — Ordered, that the troops at-
tached to this garrison, when not on duty may,
witli the permission of the officers of their re-
s[>eclive corps, be allowed to work for the in-
habitants of this post, till further orders.
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN DOCUMENTS, 1814-1.5.
List of Canadian voyageurs who volunteered
llieir services, at Mackinaw, June 21, 1814, to
go to Prairie du Cliien, on an expedition against
the xVniericans.
Joseph Rolette, Thomas G. Anderson, Joseph
Polvin, Benjamin Roy, Ed. Picke, (lit W. G.
Stursman, Barnabe Sans Soisi, S. St. Germain,
Pierre Grignon, Pierre Lambert, Jacques Sav-
ard, Jean B. Snyer. Pierre Gauslin, Etienne
Dyon, Ant. Gauthern, Amable Tourpin, Jacques
Lemire, John Campbell, Ant. Asselin, P. Prov-
ancall, Jean B. Emerie, Baptiste Berthe, An-
toine Bercier, Louis Provancall, Francois La
Chappelle, Gabriel La Londe, Jean M. Duch-
arme, J. 15. Faribault, J. B. Parant, Gabriel
Danie, Louis Bourdon, Etienne Serare, Joseph
Ouitelle, Luke Dubois, Francois S<. Maurice, L.
Dejrne, Sol. Bellangc, Louis Desognier, Fran-
cois Frenere, Emanuel Ranger, Joseph Filion,
Henry Fleure, Colin Campbell, Alexis Larose,
Amable Gervais, Jean B. Bouchard, Francois
Hoivin, Jacques Laurent, Michael Gravelle,
Pierre Emerie, Colish Veaux, Antoine Felix,
St. 1>. Philip, Joseph Dagenais, Joseph Minette,
Prudent Langlois, Pierre Crocbier, Amable J.
Durans, Antoine Dabin, Louis Genereux, An-
toine Asselin, Jean Tivierge, Joseph Tivierge,
Pierre Robedeau, Joseph Dechan, Louis Iloiiore,
Jacques Joseph Porlier.
The under named men were here present, or
on command the 24th of August, 1814:
Bombardier, Royal artillery. James Keat-
ing.
Michigan Fencibles. Sergeant: Francis Roy.
Corporal: Noel Bondvielle.
Privates: Michael Donais, Louis Vasseur, Solo-
mon Demairaix, Joseph Lariviere, Jacques Pari-
siens, Oliver Degerdin, Jacques Hebert, La-
cenne Dupuis, Francois Supernant. Pierre
From.
Canadian Volunteers from Mac/iinaw. Ser-
geants: Amable Dusang, Henry Fleurie.
Corporals: Antoine Dabins, Jean B. Emerie,
Privates: Manuelle Pichi, Seraphin St. Ger-
main, Pierre Lambert, Jacques Savard, Jean B.
Loyer, Jacques Lamire, John Campbell, Antoine
Asselin, Baptiste Berthe, Antoine Bercier,
Louis Provancall, Francois La Cliapelle, Gabriel
or William Lalonde, Jean M. Ducharme, Louis
Bourdon, Etienne Serare, Luke Dubois, Fran-
cois St. Maurice, Louis Dagenais, Solomon Bel-
lange, Louis Desognier, Emanuel Range, Joseph
Filion, Colin Campbell, Amable Gervais, Jean
M. Bouchard, Francis Boivin, Jacques Laurent,
Michael Gravelle, Pierre Emerie, Antoine Felix,
Joseph Dagenais,. Joseph Minette, Prudent
Langlois, Pierre Crochier, Louis Genereaux,
Jean Tivierge, Joseph Tivierge, Pierre Robi-
deau, Joseph Dechampes.
Pierre Kennet, a man that volunteered his
services for his country on the 2d of August,
1814, at this place, is not included in the list
sent to Mackinaw.
Canadian Volmite&s from the Bay. Sar-
geant: Laurent Filey.
Corporal: Amable Grignon.
Privates: Joseph Courvalle, Labonne Dorion,
Alexis Crochier, .Joseph Deiieau, Narcis.-e De-
laune, Pierre Chalifou, Jean B. Latouch, Pierre
190
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
L'Allement, Etienne Bantiere, Francis Fren-
iere, Pierre Grignon, Jr., Pierre Ocliu.
Note of officers, etc., here present, or on
command, the 24th of August, 1814.
Captain: Thomas G. Anderson, Com'd'g the
volunteers.
Lieutenants: Pierre Grignon, Sr., Joseph
Jacques Porlier.
Indian Department. Lieutenants: Duncan
Graham, Michael Brisbois.
Interpreter: Louis Honore, Acting Commis-
sary.
Lieutenants: Joseph Renville, Jean B. Guill-
roy, Pierre Grignon, Jr., Joseph Rock, Sr.,
Augustin Rock, Jr., Francois Bouche.
Captain: Francis Dease, Prairie du Chien
militia.
, The above is a correct statement of the forces
in Fort McKay, on the 24th of August, 1814.
Thos. G. Andekson, Capt. Com'd'g.
Fort McKay, Sept. 18, 1814.
[Endorsed on the back of the paper: ]
Paul L'Allement,
Claude Laframboise,
Michael Armaed.
Michillimackinac, 23d Sept., 1814.
To Captain Anderson:
Sir: — I have had the honor of receiving your
letter of the 29th ult., by Capt. Grignon, com-
municating the information of the enemy's
indicating an intention of ^.ttacking your post.
I, however, am inclined to believe that their
object for the present is confined to revenging
themselves on the Sauks by an attempt to de-
stroy iheir corn fields and villages, and I am
sanguine in my hopes, from the formidable body
of Indians assembled at the Rock river, that it
will be completely frustrated and punished, as
it ought.
I greatly approve of your having sent a de-
tachment down the river in aid of the Indian
force. I am convinced, it is the best mode of
defending your post; and you cannot exert
yourself too much in encouraging the Sauks,
and affording them every assistance that is in
your power to give. By that means you keep
the war at a distance; and if the proper spirit
is cherished and kept up amongst the Indians,
I flatter myself the enemy will not be able to
force such a formidable barrier. I fear it will
be difficult to preserve unanimity, and that cor-
dial co-operation with each other which is so
necessary, and yet so hard to bring about,
where they are numerous. You will, of course,
see the necessity of making this your constant
study. The ammunition sent by Corpl. Hey-
wood will arrive very opportunely, and prove
for the present a supply fully equal to the de-
mand; but unfortunately we had neither arms
nor tobacco to accompany it. I am in hopes
we stall be able very soon to send supplies of
those articles with Mr. Dickson, who remains
here until the arrival of the Indian presents,
which have been delayed in consequence of the
attack and blockade of this island. The latter
inconvenience we happily got rid of, by cap-
turing, with our detachment of seamen, assisted
by soldiers from the garrison, both the vessels
which the enemy left for that purpose; for us a
very fortunate event, which, I trust, will enable
us to not only receive our Indian goods, but
an adequate supply of provisions. As I am ex-
pecting a re-inforcement in the course of a week
or ten days, in which, I trust, I shall not be dis-
appointed, it will then be in my power to de-
tach an officer and about thirty men to Fort
McKay to winter.
You will observe that it will wholly depend
on my getting the men which I wrote for, and
fully expect. With them I shall strain every
nerve to furnish you with whatever can be
spared from this place, as well as Indian sup-
plies, as arms, powder and tobacco.
Mr. Rolette has contracted to supply the gar-
rison, to the number of sixty men, with pro-
visions for a year. When more, for any unfore-
seen emergency, is required, it must be pro-
vided on the best terms you can procure, taking
care that you strictly conform to the mode
pointed out for your guidance by Mr. Asst.
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
191
Dept. Com. Gen. Monk, at this place; and that
the utmost accuracy is observed in your certifi-
cates as to the number of men victualed. To
enable Mr. Rolette to fulfill his contract, you
will transfer to him the salt now in possession,
in whatever way you deem best, as you in your
capacity of commandant must regulate every-
thing as will most tend to the good of the ser-
vice. What chimneys, fuel, or other indispen-
sable articles may be required, you will direct
to be furnished accordingly, never deviating
from the established rule of procuring every-
thing at the most reasonable rate. Mr. Rolette
has been advanced £21)0, on account of his con-
tract, the terms of which are sent you, and
which must be scrupulously adhered to. You
will, of course, ascertain that strict justice is
done to the troops; and that the bills drawn
upon the commissary here, are in conformity to
the exact amount of provision supplied.
The dissensions and disaffection, which you
mention as existing among some of the Indians,
must ever be expected among so many different
tribes, and where the enemy are making contin-
ual efforts to seduce them. Our efforts must be
as great to reclaim such as have erred; or when
that cannot be effected, to take any precaution
to prevent their doing mischief. Hut above all
you must not fail to pacify the murmuring and
loyal part of them, who faithfully adhere to our
interest, by pointing out to them the solid ad-
vantages which cannot fail to result from a
perseverance in such praiseworthy conduct;
that the numerous forces and fleets of their
Great Father, the King, are attacking the ene-
my with decided advantage along the whole
Line of their sea coast; that in the Canadas our
troops are embodied in great numbers; that the
American army at Fort Erie is surrounded by
the British, with scarcely the (lossihility of es-
caping, and this campaign has not only the pros-
pect of ending gloriously, but the next still more
so, there being little doubt that Detroit and
Amhertsburgh will again fall into our hands.
You will represent these particulars to them
from me, in the most impressive manner you
can, telling them my firm conviction that they
will oppose the most determined resistance to
the shameful encroachments of the'enemy, and
signalize themselves in defense of their wives
and children, and of the lands with which they
are intrusted from their forefathers. You may
assure them of my doing everything in my power
to support them in so just a cause, and that from
the recent circumstances of our blockade, I can-
not this season supply their wants as I could
wish.
Yet in ammunition, it will in some measure
be made up, and next year much more will be
in our power. Impress strongly on their
minds the important fact, that the king, their
Great father, is determined to see justice done
them, and not to make peace with the enemy
until their lands are restored, and complete
security given that they are not again molested
or invaded."
These matters must necessarily give them
courage. You will present my best wishes for
their success to La Feuille and the Little Cor-
heau, and that I have the fullest reliance upon
their zeal and courage in so just a war; and that,
if necessary, they will bring down all their
young men to your assistance. I shall use
every exertion to send Mr. Dickson with the
Indian presents, I hope, accompanied by a de-
tachment of troops, as soon as possible after the
latter arrive. In the meantime, I send by Mr.
Rolette four barrels of powder for the Indians.
You will know it from his, that belonging to
him being marked with his initials.
With regard to the volunteers, those belong-
ing to the bay being, I understand, greatly
wanted, you will, if their services can be dis-
pensed with, permit them to return, of course,
omitting them in your pay-list from the
day their service ceases. The remainder will
certainly be required, at all events, till relieved;
but you may render their garrison duty as easy
and as little harassing to them, as possible,
192
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
assuring them all at the same time, that I am
higlily pleased with their behaviour and services
they have rendered. As they so meritoriously
contributed to llie recovery of the Prairie du
Chien and Fort McKay, so, I doubt not, they
will as gallantly exert themselves to defend
their conquest. I am perfectly satisfied hitherto
with your measures, but particularly with send-
ing the gun and detachment to support the In-
dians.
The war must be kept at as great a distance
from you as possible. You must hold a high
language to the Indians, such as our great power,
and unparalleled successes in general, and our
commanding attitude in the Canadas in particu-
lar, justify and require.
Let the bright prospect which we may fairly
anticipate, leave not a thought amongst any of
you but of success and victory, and animate the
whole in such a manner as will prevent the
enemy from ascending the Mississippi this sea-
son.
Next year we shall, I hope, be able to afford
more effectual support, and the enemy will then
find himself assailed in all directions, and have
fully enough upon his hands. I have the honor,
etc.
(Signed,) Rob't McDouaix,
Lieut. Col. Com'd'g.
P. S. As commandant, no person is to in-
terfere with your command. I doubt not but
you are well supported by the officers under you,
particularly Lieuts. Graham and Brisbois, and
Serg't Keating of the artillery. You will not
fail to mention to me such as, from their zeal
and good conduct, merit my approbation, and
such rewards as may heretofore be in my power
to bestow.
Capt. Anderson to Lieut. Col. R. McDouali..
Peairie des Chiens, Fort McKay,
Oct. 18th, 1814.
Sir : — I had the honor to receive your favor
of the 2-3d Sept., by Mr. Rolette, and as Lieut.
Graham, whom I liad sent off with dispatches to
you, on the 13th inst., haying returned with
Mr. Rolette here, affords me an early opportu-
nity of returning you my thanks for your ap-
probation of the measures I have adopted in the
defense of this post.
Long ere this you will have received my detail
of our successes at the Rock river. Though no
prizes were made, yet the favorable result of that
expedition has been of the first consequence in
the preservation of this country ; for had the
enemy put their design in execution, and had
murdered the Sauks in that inhuman and
American-like manner, as was their intention,
as mentioned in my letter of the 1 Ith inst., the
Indian tribes on the Mississippi would not have
been easily brought to understand or believe
that our government's intention to support
tliem is real. In fact, the Indian character is
such that when a promise is made them, and
not fulfilled at the time appointed, they imme-
diately, without paying attention to the circum-
stances that cause the disappointment, attribute
it to design, and a conditional promise with
them is construed into a real or positive one.
The unforeseen and unfortunate delay of the
Indian goods, notwithstanding Capt. Dease's
and my indefatigable endeavors to explain to
the Indians from whence it proceeds, is seri-
ously injurious to the confidence placed by
them ; and if, unfortunately, anything should
tu}n up to prevent Robert Dickson coming out
here, and the supplies not reaching us, one-half
of the Indians must inevitably starve to death.
This last circumstance, which they themselves
are continually observing to me, ought and
would, to a set of rational beings in their situ-
ation, convince them, that without the supplies
they receive from the British government, they
cannot exist.
Mr. Rolette, having contracted for, and being
able immediately to commence the supplying
the garrison, is very opportunely ; for the com-
missary stores were quite exhausted and the
troops began to feed on Indian corn. There is still
a barrel of pork remaining, which I ke[)t as a
stand-by. I shall, as soon as these dispatches
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
103
are gone, transfer to Mr. Rolette what small
quantity of salt is remaining, say about forty
pounds, and will imtuediately go about putting
everything respecting the garrison, etc., in a
regular way, according to the forms I have re-
ceived.
With respect to the payment of the troops,
Mr. Rolette has offered to furnisii tlie money
for that purpo.se, they having been paid up to
the 24th of August last. The cold weather set-
ting in, and the absolute necessity they are in
for some articles of clothing, will make it
necessary for me to pay them up to the 24th
inst., which I would not otherwise do till I re-
ceive your orders to that effect. Whatever dis-
bursements I have been obliged to make, shall
be all transferred to Mr. Rolette, in order to
give less trouble, being under one head. Mr.
Rolette appears to wish to do everything in his
power for the good of the service, and says he
will at all times furnish what money he can for
that purpose, and as to his contract, I am con-
vinced he will do everything possible to com-
plete it. The greatest inconvenience will be on
account of salt, which cannot be procured here
to preserve the summer's supply of meat.
I am ])utting Fort McKay in as strong and
comfortable a situation, and at as little expense,
as possible, at the same time omitting nothing
that may tend to the safety of the place. The
four barrels of powder sent out by Mr. Rolette
were received, as also some half-pound round
shot, and the case of round shot mentioned as
deficient in my letter of the 1 Ith inst.
In conformity to your orders, I sent off the
Green Hay Volunteers, and nitie of my own
company, under Lieut. Graham, of the Indian
department. I have given orders to Lieut.
Graham to proceed with all possible haste till
he meets Robert Dickson ; that should he meet
the troops previous to meeting Mr. Dickson,
to give them every assistance in his power.
My motive; for doing this is because I under-
stand they are greatly in need ; and as there
are no appearances of the enemy's approach at
present, the men are little wanted here.
The troops here have been almost continually,
more or less of them, on fatigue, for which I
make them the usual allowance of ten pence
per day. The militia, when on fatigue, will
have the same allowance; and as circumstances
made it necessary for me to oblige them to
furnish themselves with provisions, they will
have six pence per day for that; and for every
team furnished they will receive five shillings
— all of which, as well as every other account,
shall be correctly stated, and Mr. Rolotte will
pay them. With respect to the officers here, I
am highly pleased with them all, and assure
you they have rendered every service in their
power. As to Sergt. Keating, of the artillery,
from the zealous, courageous and handsome
manner in which he has behaved himself since
he left Mackinaw, I conceive him worthy of
every advantage that merit in his profession de-
serves.
Mr. Honore, of the Indian department, has,
since we left Mackinaw, acted in the capacity of
commissary, without whose assistance I would
be badly off in this respect, for which Mr.
Rolette informs me he has received your api)ro-
bation of granting him the pay of a lieuten'int,
which I hope may not be improper to continue,
as his assistance in that capacity is indispen-
sably necessary. It may be proper for me to ob-
serve, that the high price of goods at this place
would make it impossible for a private soldier
to keep himself completely equipped, exclusive
of his yearly clothing, even if he had a subal-
tern officer's pay. It requires two and a half
month.s' j)ay of a private to buy himself a pair
of shoes, and other things in jn'oportion.
The detachment of Michigan fencibles in
this garrison have, till now, proved to be good
soldiers; but they require severe officers. As
this garrison is small, and not placed in an ad-
vantageous situation for the defense of the
place, it will be necessary for the officer com-
manding here, as soon as possible, to have the
194
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
requsite instructions on this head; and if an al-
teration is allowed to be made, the materials
necessary, such as wood and stone, must be got
out to the spot on the snow. My determination
and wish to act in every respect in conformity
to your orders, and as exactly as possible, makes
it necessary for me to trouble you much more
on some heads than I perhaps ought to do; but
as the good of the service requires, as long as I
hold my present situation, that I should seek
every information in this way, I take the liberty
to ask you what authority I have with respect
to the Indian department, and whether the
necessary provisions, etc., for the Indians are
furnished by the garrison, or whether the officers
of that department make those purchases them-
selves?
The Sauks or Mississippi Indian heroes have
just arrived, and brought word that a party
lately arrived from the Riviere Des Forts,*
brought in ten scalps, and say they will continue
to bring them in as they do ducks from the
swamps. The want of provision s[^has been the
cause of my not making an attempt there.
Everything must be ready for a start in the
spring. Should the re-inforcement of troops
reach here in time, I should deem it best to
make an attack this fall, as it wonld be an im-
portant point for the defense of this, to obstruct
their boats. I am impatient for instructions.
I am informed that representations have been
made at Mackinaw with respect to my conduct in
the execution of my duty here; but as they pro-
ceed from envy and meanness, I do not reganl
them. My actions have ever been conducted by
the purest motives for the good of the service;
and if I did not give the command of the expe-
dition to the Rock river to Capt Grignon, it
was because his conduct in the pursuit of the
American gun-boat, at the taking of this place,
on the 19th of July last, would not authorize me
to entrust a command of so much consequence
to his charge.
* So it appears in the manuscript; perhaps Des Moines
river is the stream referred to .
MiCHILLIMACKINAW, 28th Oct.,'l814.
To Capt. Anderson: ,
Sie: — I was highly gratified on receiving your
dispatch, announcing the defeat of another
attempt of the enemy to ascend the Mississippi
for an attack on your post. I also fully approve
of the judicious measures you adopted to coun-
teract their intentions, particularly in affording
that prompt assistance to the Sauks which
inspired them with such courage and confi-
dence, and in the end was productive of such
brilliant] results. Capt. Bulger, of the Royal
Newfoundland regiment, being appointed by
me to command at Fort McKay, and on the
Mississippi, in resigning it to him, I should not
do justice to the opinion I entertain of your
merit, did I not testify my entire satisfaction
with your conduct while you held it. I, there-
fore doubt not that you will exhibit the same
zeal for the good of the service, and afford
Capt. Bulger the utmost assistance and support
which may be in your power, and, in the event
of being again attacked by the enemy, that your
company of volunteers will distinguish them-
selves by their gallantry and good conduct, of
which, you may assure them, I have a high idea.
I have directed Capt. Bulger to give every
facility to you, duly receiving your pay, and the
other allowances to which you and your officers
are entitled. I have the honor, etc.,
(Signed) Rob't McDouall,
Lieut. Col. Commanding.
Praieie du Chien, Jan. 3, 1«]5.
Robert Dickson, " agent of the western In-
dians, and superintendent of the conquered
countries," writes under the above date, to Capt.
A. H. Bulger, commanding Fort McKay :
Sir : — The sergeant on guard having informed
me that the Indian chief who was then a pris-
oner in Fort McKay, was sick, I thought proper
to send the Sioux interpreter, Joseph Renville,
to visit him, who returned with the following
talk delivered by the Indian :
"I am very sick. My Father apparently finds
it necessary that I should die here. If I am
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
196
longer kept a close prisoner, I will most surely
die of disease. It troubles my spirit to think
that I shall die of sickness. I request of my
Father that I may suffer death from the hands
of his soldiers. Dying by the hands of his
soldiers, will be the means of saving my Nation
from destruction ; and the Sioux chief, the
Little C'orbeau, will know the manner of my
death. The man who committed the murder
of my band ; but I understand that it is not
altogether for him that I am bound, but for the
very bad conduct of my people before this hap-
pened — therefore, I demand to die by the
hands of your soldiers."
On being interrogated by the interpreter re-
specting the man who was first confined, and
who had promised to return, he answered :
"That he was not a man of his band; and
knowing the evil disposition of his people, he
was sure that they had killed him." He then
added : "I am an old man. It was with diffi-
culty that I got here. You know that I fell
down often on the road, and principally when I
descended the mountain ; but my courage .and
force were renewed when I reflected that I was
going to save the lives of my children by dying
for them. Do not let my Father think, that by
mean excuses and evasions, that I wish to save
my life. No ! I am above such baseness. I
not afraid of death. My Father has already
done me honor in sending his first soldiers to
bring me here. I did not think my old body
was worth so much trouble."
I think it necessary to make you the above
communication, and in an hour hence 1 shall
wait on you in order to give you some infor-
mation I have just received.
THE INPIAN MURDERER .JANUARY 1, 1815.
Le Corbeau Francois, on arriving at the gate
of Fort McKay, with the prisoner who had
killed the two men, said : "My Father! Here
is the dog that bit you. In delivering him up,
I trust that it will be the means of saving my
hand froMi destruction." On coming into the
commandant's room he again repeated : "This is
the dog that bit you. Do with him as you
please ; he deserves to die. I have one favor to
request of you — that you will not kill hiiu until
I gooff; he most surely merits death. In de-
livering up this bad man, I also give up the
marks [gifts insignia of friendship] of the
Americans. Although we are not numerous, I
think we can act as well as the other Indians,
and henceforth I am resolved to follow your
counsel. Some time ago you frightened me,
and I then thought it was a bad business ; but
I am now convinced that it was the best thing
that could have happened, as it is the means of
preserving the lives of our women and children.
You are now busy; I will relate to you at another
time what the Americans told me, the last time
I went to see them."
Le Corbeau Francois' talk January 7th, even-
ing: "The reports that the Indian, lately ar-
rived from the Americans, brought, were these:
They told me, said he, that when they got angry
that they would bring all the Nations from the
Missouri, and sweep away everything in this
quarter before them. Notwithstanding this, I
have given up their marks and colors. I know
what I do, and I shall in future act against them."
He then repeated to the interpreter the substance
of the letter of Robert Dickson, the superin-
tendent, to Capt. Bulger.
On the trial, being interrogated by the court,
and pointing to the prisoner, asked if he was
the man who killed one man and wounded the
other? He answered — "He is truly the man."
The chief then addressed the prisoner: "Why
did you deny the bad act you have done? You
ought to speak the truth. The Master of Life
will take pity on you. There can be no pardon
for you — prepare for death. You ought not to
regret dying after committing the crime you
have." To this the prisoner made no answer.
When taken from the court to the guard-
house, the prisoner requested to see two Indians,
his relations, which was granted. On their
coming into iho guard-house, the prisoner thus
reproached tiiem: "You have betrayed me in
196
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
bringing me here. I thought at least one of you
woukl have consented to die with me; and far
from that being the case, you have not even
come to see me." They thus replied to tlie
prisoner: "Do you think we have come so far
in the cold for the love we bear you? You
killed the people who came to save our lives,
without any quarrel. If it depended on us to
save your life, you would not live a single
moment."
FoET McKay, l-5th January, 1815.
Sir: — We beg of you to excuse us for the
fault we committed towards your person, and
the dignity of your commission; after wiiich
we dare flatter ourselves that you would conde-
scend to receive this new address.
F. B.,
J. R.
In the name of the inhabitants of the Dogs'
Plains.
To Capt. A. H.Bulger, Com'dg Fort McKay.
Fort McKay, 15th January, 1815.
Sir: — We, the citizens of the Dog Plains,
not knowing in what manner to explain the
sentiments with which we are penetrated, we
pray that you will receive our thanks and ac-
knowledgments for the protection thatyou as-
sure to His Britannic Majesty's subjects. Your
conduct and activity in rendering justice in an
Indian country, which has been exposed to so
many misfortunes hitherto, gives us hopes to live
in quiet under your command; and permit us at
the same time, more and more to testify our
zeal and loyalty towards our sovereign. We
beg of you to believe us, with profound respect,
sir,
Your very humble servants,
[Names not preserved.]
To Capt. A. H. Bulger, Comd'g Fort McKay.
MiCHILLIMACKINAC, 24th Feb., 1815.
To Capt. Anderson —
Sir: — I, this day, had the honor of your let-
ter of the l7th ult., stating your having resigned
the command of Fort McKay to Capt. Bulger.
That gentleman speaks of you in such a manner
that I have only to reiterate to you my thanks
for the zeal and ability you displayed in your
command at a very critical period ;and I have to
beg of you to give to Cajjt. Bulger the most
friendly and cordial support, and, by every assis-
tance in yourpower,endeavor to aid in procuring
those supplies which will still enable us to retain
that most important country, upon which our
Indian connection, and even the safety of this
island so much depend.
I am fully aware of the sacrifices you have
made for the public service, and shall be ever
ready, as far as it is in my power, to prove to
you how desirous I am of your being recom-
pensed, as you merit. I had before taken this
into consideration, and in my last dispatch
recommended you to His Excellency to be a
captain in the Indian department from the 4th
of September. This appointment,! have reason
to believe, will afford you those permanent ad-
vantages, which, as captain of the Michigan
fencibles, you would probably enjoy but a short
time. I well know your zeal for the service,
and will always be ready to serve you as far as
in ray power, and in the way most pleasing for
yourself.
Every human effort must be made by one and
all of you, to preserve your important post,
upon which so much depends. Do your utmost
to conciliate and animate the Indians, for with
their hearty co-operation, I trust that the enemy
is again destined to defeat and disgrace. As it
is ray wish that the utmost harmony should
prevail at your garrison during this important
crisis, I strongly recommend to you to forget
what has passed, with regard to Mr. Rolette, and
to be in future, on that friendly footing with
him, which may, perhaps assist him in furnish-
ing the supplies, which are of so much conse-
quence in enabling Capt. Bulger to retain his
important post. I have the honor, etc.,
(Signed): Robert McDouall,
Lieut. Col. Com'd'g, and Commanding the In-
dian Department thereof, and its dependen-
cies.
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
197
Answer of La Feuille, or The Leaf, principal
Sioux chief, to Thomas,* delivered to Cai>t.
Anderson. [No date, in 1814 or 181 5. J
INIy Brother! — T iiave heard your words and
received your talk, and will use my endeavors
to follow your advice. You are near our Great
Father at ^Micliilliniaekmac, who gives us good
counsels, and puts us in the road of our anc<!s-
tors. Who would be foolish enough not to
follow his advice?
My Beother Thomas!— I regard you as a
brot'aer. Take this pipe, (holding a pipe in his
hand), and with it, talk to the Chippewas near
me (the liereditary enemies of the Sioux); they
are wild and stubborn. I wish to be as brethren
with them. Tell them a parcel of foolish Renards
(Foxes) went to war against them, though I
used my endeavors to prevent them. It is my
wish to be at peace with all Nations. I regard
you as a brother, and hold you fast by the hand.
Speech of L'Epervier, or Sparrow Hawk, bet-
ter known as Black Hawk, principal war chief
of the Sauks, delivered before peace was known,
at Prairie du Chien, April 18, 1815, and taken
down by Capt. T. G. Anderson:
" Mv Father! — I am pleased- to hear you
speak as you have done. I have been sent by
our chiefs to ask for a large gun (cannon), to
place in our village. The Big Knives are so
treacherous, we are afraid that they may come
up to deceive us. By having one of your large
guns in our village, we will live in safety; our
women will then be able to plaiitcorn,and hoe the
ground unmolested, and our young men will be
able to hunt for their families without dread of
the Big Knives."
Taking the war-belt in his hand, and advanc-
ing a little, he continued:
"My Father!— You see this belt. When
my Great Father at Quebec gave it to me to be
on terms of friend.ship with all his Red Children,
to form but one body, to preserve our lands,
•.\.i La Feuillo refers to Thomas whom he addresses ag re-
sidiiiK "near" tn Mnc-tinaw, it must have reference to the
Menomonce Chief Thoinus or Tomah, who lived near Green
bay. rather than the Sank Chief Thomas, whoso home was
doubtless with his people near the mouth of Rock river.
and to make war against the Big Knives, who
want to destroy us all, my Great Father said:
'Take courage, my children, hold tight your
war club, and destroy the Big Knives as much
as you can. If the Master of Life favors us,
you shall again find your lands as they formerly
were. Your lands shall again become green —
the trees green — the water green, and the sky
blue. When your lands change color, you shall
also change.' This, my Father, is the reason
why we Sauks hold the war club tight in our
hands, and will not let it go.
" My Father!— I now see the time is draw-
ing near when we shall all change color; but,
my Father, our lands have not yet changed
color— they are red — the water is red with our
blood, and the sky is cloudy. I have fought the
Big Knives, and will continue to tight them
until they retire from our lands. Till then, my
Father, your Red Children, cannot be happy."
Then laying his tomahawk down before him,
he continued:
" My Father!— I show you this war club to
convince you that we Sauks have not forgotten
the words of our Great Father at Quebec. You
see, my Father, that the club which you gave
me is still red and that we continue to hold it
fast. For what did you put it in my hands?
"My Father!— When I lately came from
war, and killed six of the enemy, I promised my
warriors that I would get something for them
from my Father, the Red Head ; but as he is
not here, and you fill his place, I beg of you,
my Father, to let me have .something to take
back to them.
" My Father! — I hope you will agree to what
I ask, and not allow me to return to my warriors
empty-handed,ashamod,and with a heavy heart."
Speech of the Kickapoo chief, the Barbou-
i Her, addressed to Capt. Anderson, at Prairie
du Chien, Aug. 3, isio.
"My Father! — You suppose within yourself:
What has this old fellow got to say? I have
not much to say. My chief and warriors sent
me to listen to your words, as the voice of our
198
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
Great Father at Mchillimackinac. I hear the
news from below (meaning St. Louis), and
from you. From below I hear, but do not re-
tain it; from you I hear with satisfaction, and
my ears and heart are open, and retain what
you say. The Sauks and my Nation make one;
and whatever they say, I hearken to it. The
Great Spirit hears us talk to-day under a clear
sky, and we must tell truth. I squeeze my
Father's hand, am obedient to his word, and
will not forget the charity he now bestows
upon us."
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
199
CHAPTER VI
THE WINNEBAGO WAR.
During the winter of 1825-6, there were con-
fined in the guard house of Fort Crawford, at
Prairie du Chien, because of some alleged dis-
honest act, two Winnebago Indians. In Octo-
ber, 1826, the fort was abandoned and the gar-
rison removed to Fort Snelling. The com-
mandant took with him the two Winnebagoes.
During the spring of 1827, the reports, about
the two Indiana, around Prairie du Cliien, was
to the effect that tliey had been killed. It was
soon apparent that a spirit of enmity between
the tribe and the settlers in southwestern Wis-
consin was effectually stirred up. In addition
to this, were the daily encroachments of miners
in the lead region; for these miners had, by
tliis time, overrun the mining country from
Galena to the Wisconsin river. Finally the
difficulties led to an open rupture.
MURDER OF GAGNIEE AND LIPCAP.
On the 28th of June, 1827, two Winnebago
Indians, Red Bird and Wo-Kaw and three of
their companions, entered the house of Rigeste
Gagnier, about two miles from Prairie du
Ciiien, where they remained several hours. At
last, when Mr. Gagnier least expected it. Red
Bird leveled his gun and shot him dead on his
hearthstone. A person in the building by the
name of Lipcap, who was a hired man, was
slain at the same time by We-Kaw. Madame
Gagnier turned to fly with her infant of eigh-
teen months. As she was about to leap through
the window, the child was torn from her arms
by We-Kaw, stabbed, scalped and thrown vio-
lently on the floor as dead. The murderer then
attacked the woman, but gave way when she
snatched up a gun that was leaning against the
wall, and presented it to his breast. She then
effected her escape. Her eldest son, a lad of
ten years, also shunned the murderers, and they
both arrived in the village at the same time.
The alarm was soon given ; but, when the
avengers of blood arrived at Gagnier's house,
they found in it nothing living but his mangled
infant. It was carried to the village, and, in-
credible as it may seem, it recovered.
A WINNEBAGO DEBAUCH.
Red Bird and his companions immediately
proceeded from the scene of their crime to the
rendezvous of their band. During their ab-
sence, thirty-seven of the warriors who ac-
knowledged the authority of Red Bird, had as-
sembled with their wives and children, near the
mouth of the Bad Ax river, in what is now
Vernon county. They received the murderers
with joy and loud approbations of their exploit.
A keg of liquor which they had secured was set
abroach, and the Indians began to drink and as
their spirits rose, to boast of what they had al-
ready done and intended to do. They continued
their revel for two days, b'lt on the third the
source of their excitement gave out — their
liquor was gone. They were, at about 4 o'clock
in the afternoon, dissipatint; the last fumes of
their excitement in the scalp-dance, when they
descried one of the keel-boats, which had a few
days before passed up the river with provisions
for the troops at Fort Snelling, on her return,
in charge of Mr. Lindsay. Forthwith a pro-
posal to take her and massacre the crew was
made and carried by acclamation. They count-
200
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
ed on doing this without risk, for they had ex-
amined her on her way up and supposed there
were no arms on board. But in this they were
mistaken as the sequal shows.
FIRST BATTLE OF BAD AX.
There were indications of hostilities on the
part of the Sioux on the upper Mississippi, and
the boats wlien tliey left Fort Snelling had been
supplied with arms. In descending tiie river
they expected an attack at Wabashaw, where
the Sioux were dancing the war dance, and
hailed their approach with insults and menaces,
but did not offer to attack the boats, or obstruct
their passage. The whites now supposed the
danger over, and, a strong wind at that moment
beginning to blow up stream, the boats jjarted
company So strong was the wind that all the
force of the sweeps could scarcely stem it; and
by the time the foremost boat was near the en-
campment, at the mouth of the Bad Ax, the
crew were very willing to stop and rest. One
or two Frenchmen, or half-breeds, who were on
board observed hostile appearances on shore,
and advised the rest to keep the middle of the
stream witii the boat, but their counsel was dis-
regarded. They urged the boat directly toward
the camp with all the force of the sweeps.
There were sixteen men on deck.
The men were rallying their French com-
panions on their apprehensions, as the boat
approached the shore; but when within thirty
yards of the bank, suddenly the trees and rocks
rang with the blood-chilling, ear-piercing tones
of the war whoop, and a volley of rifle balls
rained upon the deck. Happily, the Winneba-
goes had Tiot yet recovered from the effects of
their debauch, and their arms were not steady.
One man only fell. He was a little negro
named Peter. His leg was dreadfully shattered
and he afterward died of the wound. A second
volley soon came from the shore; but, as the
men we e lying at the bottom of the boat, they
all escaped but one, who was shot through the
heart. Encouraged by the non-resistance, the
Winnebagoes rushed to their canoes with in-
tent to board. The boatmen having recovered
from their first panic, seized their guns and the
savages were received with a severe discharge.
In one canoe two savages were killed with the
same bullet and several wounded. The attack
was continued until night, when one of the par-
ty named Mandeville, who had assumed com-
mand, sprang into the water, followed by
four others, who succeeded in setting the boat
afloat, and then went down the stream.
Thirty-seven Indians were engaged in this
attack, which may be called the first "Battle of
Bad Ax;" the second being fought just below
this point, five years after, between the Ameri-
cans and Indians of another tribe, of which an
account will be given in another chapter. Of
the Winnebagoes seven were killed and four-
teen wounded. They managed to put 693 shots
into and through the boat. Two of the crew
were killed outright, and four wounded — two
mortally. The presence of mind of Mande-
ville undoubtedly saved the rest, as well as the
boat. Mr. Lindsay's boat, the rear one, did not
reach the mouth of the Bad Ax until midnight.
The Indians opened fire upon her, which was
promptly returned. Owiiig to the darkness no
injury was done to the boat, and she passed
safely on. Consideri ng the few that were en-
gaged in the attack on the first boat and in its
defense, the contest was indeed a spirited and
sanguinary one.
GEBAT ALARM UPON THE BORDER.
Great was the alarm at Prairie du Chien
when the boats arrived there. The people left
their houses and farms and crowded into the
dilapidated fort. An express was immediately
sent to Galena, and another to Fort Snelling,
for assistance. A company of upwards of a
hundred volunteers soon arrived from Galena,
and the minds of the inhabitants were quieted.
In a few days four imperfect companies arrived
from Fort Snelling. The consternation of the
people of the lead mines was great, and in all
the frontier settlements. This portion of the
country then contained, as is supposed, about
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
■201
5,000 inhabitants — tliat is south of the Wiscon-
sin river and at Prairie dii Ciiien, and extending
into Illinois. A great many of tlieso tied from
their homes.
ARRIVAI, OF GOVERNMENT TROOPS.
On the 1st of September, 1827, Maj. William
Whisller, with government troops arrived at
the portage (now Portage, Columbia Co., Wis.),
and while there an express arrived from Gen.
H. Atkinson, announcing his approach, and di-
recting him to halt and fortify himself and wait
his arrival. Tlie object of the joint expedition
of Gen. Atkinson from Jefferson barracks below
St. Louis, and of Maj. Whistler from Fort How-
ard, at Green Bay, was to capture those who
had committed the murders at Prairie du Chien,
and ])ut a stop to any further aggression. And
this march of tlie t^vo into the Winnebago coun-
try from o])positt' clirections was well cilculated
to overawe the disaffected amongthe Winneba-
goes. These Indians were soon advised that
tlie seiuirity of llieir people lay in the surrender
of the murderers of the Gagnier family. Ac-
cordingly, Red Bird and We-Kaw were surren-
dered up to !\Iaj. Whistler, at the portage and
the Winnebago war was ended. The two In-
dians were taken to Prairie du Chien for safe-
keeping, to await their tri.al in the regular courts
of justice for murder.
TRIAL AND CONVICTION OF THE MURDERERS.
The next spring (1 828), Rod Bird, We-Kaw
and another Winnelaago prisoner were tried at
Prairie du Chien, before Judge James Duane
Dnty, who went from Green Bay there for that
purpose. They were found guilty and sen-
tenced to death. lied Bird died in prison. A
deputation of the tribe went to Washington to
solicit from the President of the United States,
John Quincy Adams, a pardon for the others.
I'resident Adams granted it on the implied con-
dition that the tribe would cede the lands then
the possession of the miners, in the lead re-
gion, to the General Government. The Winne-
bagoes agreed to this. Madame Gagnier was
compensated for the loss of her husband and ;
the mutilation of her infant. At the treaty
with the Winnebagoes held at Prairie du Chien
in 1829, provision was made for two sections of
land to lier and her two children. The United
States agreed to pay her the sum of #50 per an-
num for fifteen years to be deducted from the
annuity of the Winnebagoes.
de-kau-ray's imprisonment.
In closing this account of the "Winnebago
War" we give an anecdote, which places the
Winnebago character in an amiable light. The
militia of Prairie du Chien, immediately after
the affair of the boats at the mouth of the Bad
Ax river, seized an old Winnebago chief named
De-kau-ray and four other Indians. The chief
was informed that if Red Bird was not given
up within a certain time he and the others were
to die in his place. This De-kau-ray steadfastly
believed. A messenger, a young Indian, was
sent to inform the tribe of the state of affairs, and
several days had elapsed and no information
was received of the murderers. The dreadful
day was near at hand, and De-kau-ray, being in
bad health, asked permission of the officer to go
to the river and indulge in his long-accustomed
habit of bathing in order to improve his physi-
cal condition, upon which Col. Snelliug told
him that if he would promise on the honor of a
chief that he woidd not leave town, he might
have his liherty and enjoy all his privileges un-
til the day appointed for his execution. Ac-
cordingly, he first gave his hand to the colonel,
thanking him for his friendly offer, then raised
both hands aloft, and, in the most solemn adjii-
r.ation, promised that he would not leave the
bounds prescribed, and said if he had a hundred
lives he would sooner lose tliem all than for-
feit his word. He was then set at liberty. He
was advised to flee to the wilderness and make
his escape. "Do you think," said he, "I prize
life above honor?" He then complacently re-
mained until nine days of the ten which he had
to live had passed, and still nothing was heard
of the murderers or of their being apprehended.
No alteration could be seen in the countenance
13
202
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
of the chief. It so happened that on that day
Gen. Atkinson arrived with his troops from
Jefferson barracks, and the order for the execu-
tion was countermanded and the Indians per-
mitted to return to their homes.
WM. J. SNELLING ON THE WINNEBAGO WAR.
No tribe considers revenge a more sacred
duty llian the Winnebagoes. It was their an-
cient custom to take five lives for one, and it is
notorious on the frontiers, that no blood of
theirs has been shed, even in modern days, that
has not been fully avenged. They used, too, to
wear some part of the body of a slain enemy
about them as a testimonial of prowess. We
well remember a grim Winnebago, who was
wont to present himself before the whites, who
passed the portage of the Fo.x and Wisconsin
rivers, with a human hand hanging on his breast.
He had taken it from a Yankee soldier at Tip-
pecanoe.
It was not ditficult to stir up such a people to
hostility, and, moreover, circumstances favored
the design of the Dakotas. There is, or was, a
village of Winnebagoes on the Black river, not
far from the Dakota town of which Warba-shaw
is chief. The two tribes are descended from
the same stock, as their languages abundantly
prove, and the claims of common origin have
been strengthened by frequent intermarriages.
Now, it happened, that at the time when Too-
pun-kah Zeze was put to death at Fort Snelling,
the Red Bird was absent from his Winnebago
village, on an expedition against the Ohippe-
was. He returned unsuccessful, and, conse-
quently, sullen and malcontent. Till this time,
he had been noted among his tribe for his
friendly disposition towards the "men with
hats, " as the Indians call the whites, and
among the traders, for his scrupulous honesty.
However, this man, from whom no white per-
son beyond the frontier would have anticipated
injury, was easily induced to commit a bloody
and unprovoked outrage.
Certain Dakota ambassadors arrived at the
Red Bird's village, with a lie in their mouths.
" You have become a by-word of reproach
among us," said they; "you have just given the
Chippewas reason to laugh at you, and the Big
Knives also laugh at you. Lo! while they were
among you they dared not offend you, but now
they have caused Wa-man-goos-ga-ra-ha, and his
companion to be put to death, and they have
cut their bodies into pieces not bigger than the
spots in a bead garter." The tale was believed,
and a cry for vengeance arose throughout the
village. It was decided that something must
be done, and the Dakota envoys promised to
lend a helping hand.
A few days before, two keel-boats had .as-
cended the river, laden with provisions for the
troops at Fort Snelling. They passed the mouth
of Black river with a full sheet, so that a few
Winnebagoes, who were there encamped, had
some difficulty in reaching them with their
canoes. They might have t.aken both boats, for
there were but three fire-locks on board; never-
theless they offered no injury. H^hey sold fish
and venison to the boatmen, on amicable terms,
and suffered them to pursue their journey un-
molested. We mention this trifling circum-
stance, merely because it was afterwards re-
ported in the St Louis papers, that the crews of
these boats had abused these Winnebagoes
shamefully, which assuredly was not the case.*
The wind died away before the boats reached
the village of Wa-ba-shaw, f which is situated
on the west bank of the Mississipjii, twelve or
fifteen miles above the mouth of the Black
river. Here the Dakotas peremptorily com-
manded them to put ashore, which they did.
No reason was assigned for the order. Upwards
* To page 162, vol. il, of our Collections, we appended a
note from Gov. Keynold's Life and Times, which probably
embodied the newspaper accounts of the pretended "shame-
ful abuse of the Winnebagoes"— that the crews of these boats,
on their upward trip, bad stopped at a Winnebago camp,
got them all drunlt. and then forced six or seven stupefied
squaws on t)oard tnv corrupt and brutal purposes, and Itept
them during the voyige to Fort Snelling, and on their re-
turn. Hence the Httrtck on the boats by the Winnebagoes
when thoy became sober and conscious of the iniquity done
them. Rut this emphatic denial by Mr. Snelling, of this
infamous charge, and the fact that Judge LocUwood, in his
narrative, and' Gen. Smith and Mr, Neill in their histories,
are silent on the subject, should brand it as utterly without
foundation.
+ The site of the present town of Winona.
HISTORY OF CRAWP^ORD COUNTY.
iiOS
of 500 warriors immediately crowded on board.
A passenger, who was well acquainted with the
Dakotas, observed that they brought no women
with them as usual; that they were painted
black, which signifies either grief or hostility;
that they refused to shake hands with the boat-
men, and that their speech was brief and sul-
len. He instantly communicated his observa-
tion to Mr. Lindsay, who commanded the boats,
and advised him to push on, before the savages
should have discovered that the party were
wholly unarmed. Lindsay, a bold-hearted Keii-
tuckinn, assumed the tone of command, and
peremptorily ordered the Dakotas ashore. They,
probably, thouj^iil that big words would be
seconded with hard blows, and complied. The
boats pushed on, several Indians pursued them
along the shore fur several miles, with speech
of taunt and <leHance, but they offered no fur-
ther molestation.
'Ihe D.ikota villages"' higher up showed much
ill-will, but no disposition, or rather no courage,
to attack. Altogetlier apjtearances were so
threatening, that on his arrival at Fort Snellinij,
Mr. Linilsay communicated wiiathe had seen to
the ciiminandingi>fflcer, and .-isked that his crew
should be furnished with arms and ammunition.
1 he reipiest was granted; his thirty-two men
were provided with thirty-two muskets, and a
barrel of ball-cartridges. Thus secured against
attack, the boats commenced the descent of the
river.
Li the meanwhile, the Red Bird had cogi-
tated upon what he hail heard, every tittle of
which he believed, and had come to the conclu-
sion that the honor of his race required the
liliKid of two Americans at least. He, there-
fore, got into his canoe with Wekaw, or the
Sun, and two otiiers, and paddled to Prairie du
Ciiien. When he got there he waited upon Mr.
Hoilvin, in the most friendly manner, and
begged to be regarded as one of the staunchest
friends of the Americans. Tlie venerable agent
admitted his claims, but absolutely refused to
•Red Wing and Kaposia, saysNeill.
give him any whisky. The Winnebago chief
then applied to a trader in the town, who, relying
on iiisgeneral good character, did nothesitate to
furnish him with an eight gallon keg of spirits,
the value of which was to be paid in furs in tlie
succeeding autumn.
There was an old colored woman in the vil
lage, whose five sons had never heard that they
were inferior beings, either from the Lidians or
the Canadian French. Therefore, having never
considered themselves degraded, they were not
degraded; on the contrary, they ranked with
the most respectable inhabitants of the i)Iace.
We knew them well. One of them was the vil-
lage blacksmith; the others were substantial
farmers. Their father was a Frenchman, and
their name was Gagnier.
One of these men owned a farm three miles
from Prairie du Chien, where he lived with his
wife, who was a white woman, two children and
a hired man named Lipcap. Thither the Red
Bird repaired with his three companions, sure
of a fair reception, for Registre Gagnier had
always been noted for his humanity to the poor,
especially the Indians.
Registre Gagnier invited his savage visitors
to enter, hung the kettle over the fire, gave them
to eat and smoked the pipe of peace with them.
The Red Bird was the last man on earth whom he
would have feared; for they were well acquainted
with each other and had reciprocated good oflices.
The Indians remained several hours under
Gagnier's hospitable roof. At last, when the
farmer least expected it, the Winnebago chief
leveled his gun and shot him down dead on his
hearth-stone. Lipcap was slain at the same
instant by Wekaw. Madame Gagnier turned to
flv with her infant of eighteen months. As she
was about to leap through the window, the
child was torn from her arms by Wekaw, stabbed,
scalped and thrown violently on the fioor
as dead. The murderer then attacked the
woman; but gave way wlien she snatched up a
gun that was leaning against the wall and pre-
sented it to his breast. She then effected her
204
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
escape. Her eldest son, a lad of ten years, also
shunned the murderers, and they both arrived
in the village at about the same time. The
alarm was soon given; but when the avengers
of blood arrived at poor Registre Gagnier's
house, they found in it nothing living but his
mangled infant. It was carried to the village,
and, strange as it may seerp, recovered.*
The Red Bird and his companions immedi-
ately proceeded from the scene of their crime to
the rendezvous of their band. During their ab-
sence, thirty-seven of the warriors, who acknowl-
edged the authority of Red Bird, had assem-
bled, with their wives and children, near the
mouth of Bad Ax river. They received the
murderers with exceeding great joy, and loud
approbation of their exploit. The keg of liquor
was immediately set abroach, the red men began
to drink, and, as their spirits rose, to boast of
what they had already done, and intended to do.
Two days did they continue to revel; and on
the third, the source of their excitement gave
out. They were, at about 4 in the afternoon,
dissipating the last fumes of their excitement in
the scalp dance, when they descried one of the
keel-boats before mentioned, approaching.
Forthwith a proposal to take her, and massacre
the crew, was made and carried by acclamation.
They counted upon doing this without risk; for
they had examined her on the way up, and sup-
posed that there were no arms on bo.ard.
Mr. Lindsay's boats had descended the river
together as far as the village of Wa-ba-sliaw,
where they expected an attack. The Dakolas
on shore were dancing the war-dance, and hailed
their approach with insults and menaces; but
did not, nevertheless, offer to obstruct their
passage. The whites now supposed the danger
over, and a strong wind at that moment begin-
ning to blow up stream, the boats parted com-
pany. That which sat deepest in the water had
* Gen Smith, on the authority of Jud^e Doty, states that
this tragedy occurred on the 28th of June, 1S37; Judge Locli-
wood sa^•s the 26th and Niles Register says the 24th. Neill
follows Locliwood's chronology.
the advantage of the under current, and, of
course, gained several miles in advance of the
other.
So strong was the wind, that all the force of
sweeps could scarcely stem it, and, by the time
the foremost boat was near the encampment, at
mouth of the Bad Ax, the crew were very will-
ing to stop and rest. One or two Frenchmen,
or half breeds, who were on board, observed
hostile appearances on shore, and advised the
rest to keep the middle of the stream; but their
counsel was disregarded. Most of the crew were
Americans, who, as usual with our countrymen,
combined a profound ignorance of Indian char-
acter with a thorough contempt for Indian
prowess. They urged the boat directly toward
the camp, with all the force of the sweeps.
There were sixteen men on deck. It may be
well to observe here, that this, like all keel-boats
used in the Mississippi valley, was built almost
exactly on the model of the Erie and Middlesex
canal boats.
The men were rallying their French compan-
ions on their apprehensions, and the boat* was
within thirty yards of the shore, when suddenly
the trees and rocks rang with the blood-chilling,
ear-piercing tones of the warwhoop, and a volley
of rifle balls rained upon the deck. Happily,
the Winnebagoes had not yet recovered from
the effects of their debauch, and their arms were
not steady. One man only fell by their fire.
He was a little negro named Peter. His leg
was dreadfully shattered, and he afterwards
died of the wound. Then Peter began to curse
and swear, d g his fellows for leaving him
to be shot at like a Christmas turkey; but finding
that his reproaches had no effect, he also man-
aged to drag himself below. All this passed
in as little time as it will take to read this par-
agraph.
Presently a voice hailed the boat in the Sac
tongue demanding to know if the crew were
Englisli? A half-Ureed Sac, named Beancliamp,
* This advance boat was the Oliver H. Perry, according to
Geo. Smith's History of Wisconsin.
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
205
answered in the affirmative. "Then," said the
querist, "come on shore, and we will do you no
harm, for we are your brethren, the Sacs."
"Dog," retorted Beauchamp, "no Sac would
attack us thus cowardly. If you want us on
shore, you must come and fetch us."
With that, a second volley came from the
shore; but as the men were now lying prone in
the bottom of the boat, below the water line,
they all escaped but one. One man, an American
named Stewart, fell. He had risen to return
the first fire, and the muzzle of his musket pro-
truding through a loop-hole, showed some Win-
nebago where to aim. The bullet struck liim
under the left arm, and passed directly through
his heart. He feil dead, with his finger on the
trigger of his undischarged gun. It was a hot
day, and before the fight was over, the scent of
the gunpowder could not overpower the stench
of the red puddle around him.
The Winnebagoes encouraged by the non-
residence, now rushed to their canoes, with in-
tent to l)()ard. One venerable old man endeavored
to dissuade them. He laid hold on one of the
canoes, and would, perhaps, have succeeded in
retaining it; but in the heat of his argument, a
bail from the boat hit him in the middle finger
of the peace-making hand. Very naturally en-
raged at such unkind treatment from his friends,
he loosed tiie canoe, hurried to his wigwam for
his gun, and took an active part in the remain-
der of the action. In the meanwhile, the white
men had recovered from their first panic, and
seized their arms. The boarders were received
with a very severe discharge. In one canoe,
two savages were killed with the same bullet.
Their dying struggles upset the canoe, and the
rest were obliged to swim on shore, where it
was sometime before they could restore their
arms to fighting order. Several more were
wounded, and those who remained unhurt, put
back, satisfied that a storm was not the best
mode of attack.
Two, however, persevered. They were together
in one canoe, and approached the boat astern.
where there were no holes through which the
whites could fire upon them. They soon leaped
on board. One seized the long steering oar, or
rudder. The other jumped upon deck, where
he halted, and discharged five muskets, which
had been left there by the crew, fled below
through the deck into the bottom of the boat.
In this manner he wounded one man very se-
verely. After this exploit, he hurried to the
bow, where he seized a long pole, and with the
assistance of the steersman, succeeded in
grounding the boat on a sand-bar, and fixing
her fast under the fire of his people. The two
Winnebago boatmen then began to load and
fire, to the no small annoyance of the crew.
He at the stern was soon dispatched. One of
the whites observed his position through a
crack, and gave him a mortal wound through
the boards. Still, he struggled to get overboard,
])robably to save his scalp. But his struggles
were feeble, and a second bullet terminated
them before he could effect his object. After
the fight was over, the man who slew him took
his scalp.
The bow of the boat was open, and the war-
rior there still kept his station, out of sight,
excepting when he stooped to fire, which he
did five times. His third shot broke the arm,
and passed through the lungs, of the brave
Beauchamp. At this sight, one or two began
to speak of surrender. "No, friends," cried the
dying man ; "you will not save your lives so.
Fight to the last ; for they will show no mercy.
If they get the better of you, for God's sake
throw me overboard. Do not let them get ray
hair." He continued to exhort them to resist-
ance long as his breath lasted, and died with
the words "fight on," on his lips. Before this
time, however, his slayer had also taken his
leave of life. A sailor, named Jack Mande-
ville, shot him through the head, and he fell
overboard, carrying his gun with him.
Frem that moment Mandeville assumed the
command of the boat. A few had resolved to
take the skifif, and leave the rest to their fate.
•20G
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
They had already cast off the rope. Jack in-
terposed, declaring that he would shoot the
first man, and bayonet the second, who would
persevere. They submitted. Two more had
hidden themselves in the bow of the boat, out
of sight, but not out of danger. After a while
the old tar missed them, sought them, and
compelled them by threats of instant death,
enforced by pricks of his bayonet, to leave their
hiding place, and take share in the business in
hand. Afterwards they fought like bull dogs.
It was well for them that Mandeville acted as
he did ; fur they had scarcely risen when a
score of bullets, at least, passed through the
place where they had been lying.
After the two or three first volleys tlie fire
had slackened, but it was not, therefore, the
less dangerous. The Indians had the ad-
vantage of superior numbers, and could
shift their positions at pleasure. The whites
were compelled to lie in the bottom of the
boat, below the water mark, for its sides
were without bulwarks. Every bullet passed
through and through. It was only at intervals,
and very warily, that they could rise to fire ;
for the flash of every gun showed the position
of the marksman, and was instantly followed
by the reports of two or three Indian rifles. On
the other hand they were not seen, and being
thinly scattered over a large boat, the Winm-
bagoes could but guess their positions. The
fire, was therefore, slow ; for none on either
side cared to waste ammunition. Thus, for up-
wards of three hours, the boatmen lay in blood
and bilge-water, deprived of the free use of
their limbs, and wholly unable to extricate
themselves.
At last, as the night fell, Mandeville came to
the conclusion that darkness would render the
guns of his own party wholly useless, while it
would not render the aim of the Winnebagoes
a jot less certain. He, therefore, as soon as it
was dark, stoutly called for assistance, and
sprang into the water. Four more followed
him. The balls rained around them, passing
through their clothes; but tiiey persisted, and
the boat was soon afloat. Seeing their prey
escaping, the Winnebagoes raised a yell of
mingled rage and despair, atid gave the whites
a f.arewell volley. It was returned, with three
hearty cheers, and ere a gun could be re-loaded,
the boat had floated out of shooting distance.
For half tiie night, a wailing voice, apparent-
ly that of an old man, was heard, following the
boat, at a safe distance, however. It was con-
jectured that it was the father of him whose
body the boat was bearing away. Subsequently
inquiry proved this supposition to be correct.
Thirty-seven Indians were engaged in this
battle, seven of whom were killed, and fourteen
were wounded. They managed to put 69.3 balls
into and through the boat. Two of the crew
were killed outright, two mortally, and two
slightly wounded. Jack Mandeville's courage
and presence of mind undoubtedly saved the
rest, as well as the boat ; but we have never
heard that he was rewarded in any way or
shape.
Mr. Lindsay's boat, the rear one, reached the
mouth of the Bad Ax about midnight. The
Indians opened a fire upon her, which was
promptly r turned. There was a light on
board, at which the first gun was probably
aimed, for that ball only hit the boat. All the
rest passed over harmless in the darkness.*
Great was the alarm at Prairie du Chien
when the boats arrived there. The people left
their houses and farms, and crowded into the
dilapidated fort. Nevertheless, they showed
much spirit, and speedily established a very
effective discipline. An express was immedi-
ately sent to Galega, and another to Fort Snel-
ling, for assistance. A company of upwards of
*It is stated in Neill's Minnesota, that among- the passen-
gers on Lindsa.v's boat was Joseph Snelling, a talented son of
the Colonel, who wrote a story of deep interest, based on
the taets narrated. This we presume was William J. Snel-
iing. the writer of this narrative As for the date of the
attack on these keel boats, ,ludg:e Lookwood gives it as June
:;6th, which Neill follows; Gen. Smith, on Judge Doty's au-
thority, we presume, says the 30th. Whatever was the real
date, one thing is quite certain, that the murder of Gagniers
family and the boat attack, transpired the same day, and the
1 ext day the first of the keel boats arrived at Prairie du
Chien, increasing the war panic among the people.
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
20'?
100 volunteers soon arrived from t4alena, and
the minds of the inhabitants were quieted.
In a few days, four imperfect companies of
tlie 5lh Infantry arrived from Fort Snelling.
Tht' commandinor officer ordered a march on the
lied Uird's village; but as tlie volunteers re-
fused to obey, and determined to return lioine,
he was obliged to countermand it.
Tlie consternation of the people of the lead
mines was great Full half of them tied from
the country. Shortly after, however, when
Gen. Atkinson arrived with a full regiment, a
consideral)le body of volunteers joined him
from Galena, and accompanied him to the port-
age of Wisconsin, to fight with or receive the
submission of the Winnebagoes.
Tlie Red Bird there appeared, in all the pai-a-
[ihernalia of an Indian chief and warrior, and
surrendei'ed himself to justice, together with
his companions in the murder of Gagnier, and
one of his 1):im(1, who had taken an active part
in tlie atttick on the boats. They >vere incarcer-
atjcl at Prairie dii Cliien. A dreadfnl epidemic
broke out there about this time, ami he died in
prison. He knew that his death was certain,
and did not shrink from it.
In the course of a year, tlie people of the
lead mines increased in number and in strength
and encroached upon the Winnebago lands.
The Winnebagoes complained in vain. The
next spring, the murderers of Methode, and the
other Indian jirisoners, were tried, convicted,
and sentenced to death. A deputation of the
tribe went to Washington to solicit their par-
don. President Adams granted it, on the im-
plied condition that the tribe would cede the
lands then in possession of the miners. The
Winnebagoes have kept their word — the land
has been ceded, and Madame Gagnier has been
compensated for the loss of her husband, and
the mutilation of her infant. We believe that
she received, after waiting two years, the mag-
nificent sum of $2,000.*
•At the treaty helil «t Prairie du f 'hien with the Winneba-
Boes. in 1829, provision was made for two seittions of land
toTiiGRESE Qaqnier and her two ohildron, Krancoi» a»d
We will close this true account of life be-
yond the frontier, with an anecdote which
places the Winnebago character in a more ami-
ble light than anything already related. The
militia of Prairie du Chieii, immediately after
the affair of the boats, seized the old chief De
Kau-ray — the same who has already been men-
tioned. He was told that if the Red-Bird
should not be given up within a certain time, he
was to die in his stead. This he steadfastly
believed. Finding that confinement injured
his health, he requested to be permitted to
range the country on his parole. The demand
was granted. He was bidden to go whither he
pleased during the day, but at sunset he was
re(piired to return to the fort on pain of being
consideied an old woman. He observed the
condition religiously. At the first tap of the re-
treat, De Kau-ray was sure to present himself
at the gate; and this he continued to do till
Gen. Atkinson set him at liberty.
AN INCIDENT OF THE WINNEBAGO WAR.
The following incident, found in the Western
Courier, published at Ravenna, Ohio, Feb. 26,
1 8.30, was read by the secretary at a meeting of
the Wisconsin Historical Society, in Decem-
ber, 1862:
"There is no class of human beings on earth
who hold a pledge more sacred and binding,
than do the North American Indians. An in-
stance of this was witnessed during the Winne-
bago war of 1827, in the person of De Kau-ray,
a celebrated chief of that Nation, who, with
four other Indians of his tribe, was taken prisoner
at Prairie du Chien. Col. Snelling, of the
."ith regiment of Infantry, who then com-
manded that garrison, dispatched a young In-
dian into the Nation, with orders to inform the
other chiefs of De Kau-ray's band, that unless
those Indians who were the perpetrators of the
horrid murders of some of our citizens, were
brought to the fort and given up within ten
days, De Kau-ray and the other four Indians,
Louise; and for the United States to pay Tiiekbse GAONisit
I I he sum of J3I) per annum for fifteen years, to be deducted
from the annnity to said Indians.
208
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
who were retained as hostages, would be shot
at the end of that time. The awful sentence
was pronounced in the presence of De Kau-ray,
who, though proclaiming his own innocence of
the outrages which had been committed by
others of his Nation, declared that he feared
not death, though it would be attended with
serious consequences, inasmuch as he had two
affectionate wives, and a large family of small
children, who were entirely dependent on him
for their support; but, if necessary, he was
willing to die for the honor of his Nation.
"The young Indian had been gone several
daj's, and no intelligence was yet received
from the murderers. The dreadful day being
near at hand, and De Kau-ray being in a bad
state of health, asked permission of the col-
onel to go to the river to indulge in his
long-accustomed habit of bathing in order
to improve his health. Upon which, Col.
Snelling told him if he would promise, on the
honor of a chief, that he would not leave the
town, he might have his liberty and enjoy all
his privileges, until the day of the appointed ex-
ecution. Accordingly, he first gave his hand
to the colonel, thanking him for his friendly
offer, then raised both his hands aloft, and in
the most solemn adjuration, promised that he
would not leave the bounds prescribed, and
said if he had a hundred lives he would sooner
lose them all than forfeit his word, or deduct
from his proud Nation one particle of il-^
boasted honor. He was then set at liberty. He
was advised to flee to the wilderness and make
his escape. "But no," said he, "do you think
I prize life above lionor ? or, that I would be-
tray a confidence reposed in me, for the sake of
saving my life ?" He then complacently re-
mained until nine days of the ten which he had
to live had elapsed, and nothing heard from the
Nation with regard to the apprehension of the
murderers, his immediate death became appar-
ent; but no alteration could be seen in the
co\intenance of the chief. It so happened that
on that day Gen. Atkinson arrived with his
troops from Jefferson barracks, and the order
for the execution was countermanded, and the
Indians permitted to repair to their homes."
GEN. CASS ON THE WINNEBAGO OUTBREAK, 13-i7.
In a speech. Gen. Lewis Cass, at Burlington,
Iowa, in June, 1855, made the following refer-
ence to the Winnebago outbreak in 1827 :
"Twenty-eight years have elapsed," said the
venerable statesman, "since I passed along the
borders of this beautiful State. ''JMme and
chance happen to all men,' says the writer of
old ; and time and chance have happened to
me, since I first became identified with the
west. In 1827 I heard that the Winnebagoes
had assumed an attitude of hostility toward the
whites, and that great fear and anxiety pre-
vailed among the border settlers of tiie north-
western frontier. I went to Green Bay, where
I took a canoe with twelve voyagers and went
up the Fox river and passed over the portage
into the Wisconsin. We went down the Wiscon-
sin until we met an ascending boat in the
charge of Ramsay Crooks, who was long a resi-
dent of the northwest. Here we ascertained
that the Winnebagoes had assumed a hostile
attitude, and that the settlers of Prairie du
Chien were apprehensive of being suddenly
attacked and massacred. After descending
about seventy miles further, we came in sight
of the Winnebago camp. It was situated upon
a high prairie, not far from the river, and as he
approached the shore he saw the women and
children running across the prairie, in an oppo-
site direction, which he knew to be a bad sign.
After reaching the shore he went up to
the camp. At first the Indians were sul-
len, particularly the young men. He talked
with them awhile, and they finally consented to
smoke the calumet. He afterwards learned
that one of the young Indians cocked his gun,
and was about to shoot him, when he was forci-
bly prevented by an old man, who struck down
his arm. He passed down to Prairie du Chien,
wher« he found the inhabitants in the greatest
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
209
state of alarm. After organizing the militia, he
had to continue his voyage to St. Louis. He
stoppfd at (Taiena. There were then no wliite
iiiiiahitants on either baiilv of tlie Mississippi,
nortli of the Missouri line. Arrived at St.
Louis, after organizing a force under Gen. Clark
and Gen. Atkinson, he ascended the Illinois in
his canoe, and passed into Lake Michigan with-
out getting out of it. The water had tilled tlie
swamps at the liead of Chicago river, whicii
enabled the Doi/dgu'irs to navigate his canoe
through witiiout seri(jus ilifticulty. Where Chi-
cago now is lie found two families, one of wliich
was that of his old friend Kinzie. This was
the first and last time he had been at Burling-
ton. New countries have their disadvantages
of which tliose who come at a later day know
little. Forty years ago flour sold at ^'2. a barrel,
and there were liundreds of acres of corn in the
west that were not harvested. The means of
transportation were too expensive to allow of
their being carried to market."
GEN. DODGE TO GKN. ATKINSON.
Galena, Aug. 26, 1827.
Dear Gkseral: — Capt. Henry, the ciiairman
of the committee of safety, will wait on you
at Prairie du Chien, before your departure from
tliat place. C^apt. Henry is an intelligent gen-
tleman, wlio understands well the situation of
the country The letter accompanying Gov.
Cass' communication to you has excited in some
measure the people in tliis part of the country.
As the principal part of the efficient force is
preparing to accompany you on your expedition
up the Ouisconsin, it might have a good effect
to seiul a small regular force to tliis part of t''e
country, and in our absence they might render
protection to this region.
I feel tlie importance of your having as many
mounted men as the country can afford, to aid
in punishing those insolent Winnebagoes who
are wishing to unite, it would seem, in common
all the disaffected Indians on our borders.
From information received last night, some
straggling Indians have been seen on our fron-
tier.
Your friend and obedient servant,
II. Dodge.
To Gen. II. Atkin.son, Prairie du Chien.
There lias repeatedly, during the past dozen
or fifteen years, appeared in ihe papers an arti-
cle purporting to be An Indian's li ace for Life.
It stated, that soon after the Winnebago diffi-
culties in 1827, that a Sioux Indian killed a
Winnebago Indian while out hunting near the
mouth of Root river; that the Winnebagoes
were indignant at the act, and 2,000 of them
assembled at Prairie du Chien, and demanded
of Col. Taylor, commanding there, the procure-
ment and surrender of the murderer. An officer
was sent to the Sioux, and demanded the mur-
derer, who was given up ; and finally was sur-
rendered to the Winnebagoes, on condition that
he should have a chance for his life — givingr
him ten paces, to run at a given signal, and
twelve Winnebagoes to pursue, each armed only
with a tomahawk and scalping knife — but he
out-ran them all, and saved his life.
H. L. Dousman and B. W. Brisbois, have
always declared that no such incident ever oc-
curred there, and that there is 'not one word of
truth in the statement." This note is appended
here that future historians of our State may un-
derstand that it is only a myth or fanciful storv.
DANIEL M. Parkinson's kecollections of the
WINNEBAGO WAR.
[From "Collections of the Slate Historical Society of Wis-
consin, " Vol. II. 185U.]
In the year 1822 considerable excitement was
created in relation to the lead mines near Ga-
lena, and a number of persons went there from
Sangamon county, among whom was Col. Ebe-
nezer Brigliam, now of Blue Mounds, Dane Co.,
Wis. In 1826 the excitement and interest rela-
tive to the lead mine country became consider-
ably increased, and in 1827, it became intense,
equalling almost anything pertaining to the
California gold fever. People from almost all
portions of the Union inconsiderately rushed to
the mining region.
210
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
With Col. William S. Hamilton, Jam.es D.
Brents and two otliers, I arrived at Galena on
the 4th of July, 182'7, and on the same day ar-
rived also a boat from St. Peter's, which had
been attacked by the Indians a short distance
above Prairie dvi Chien, bringing on board one
man killed and two men wounded. In the en-
counter with the Indians they killed two of
them. ***»*«*
Upon the reception of the alarming intelli-
gence of the attack on this boat and also upon
some of the inhabitants near Prairie du Chien
and the reports being spread over the country,
a scene of the most alarming and disorderly
confusion ensued — alarm and consternation were
depicted in every countenance — thousands
flocking to Galenafor safety, when in fact it was
the most exposed and unsafe place in the whole
country. All were without arms, order or con-
trol. The roads were lined in all directions
with frantic and fleeing men, women and chil-
dren, expecting every moment to be overtaken,
tomahawked and scalped by the Indians. It
was said, and 1 presume with truth, that the
encampment of fugitives at \he head of Apple
river on the first night of tlie alarm was four
miles in extent and numbered 3,000 persons.
In this state of alarm, confusion and disorder
it was extremely difficult to do anything; almost
every man's object was to leave the country, if
possible. At length a company of riflemen was
raised at Galena, upon the requsition of Gov.
Cass of Michigan, who arrived there on the sec-
ond daj after the alarm. This company was
commanded by Abner Fields, of Vandalia, III.,
as captain and one Smith and William .S. Ham
ilton as lieutenants, and was immediately put
in motion for Prairie du Chien, by embarking
on board the keel-boat Maid of Fevre river. On
our way up the river, I acted as sergeant of the
company, and we made several reeonnoitering
expeditions i|ito the woods near the river., where
Indian encampments were indicated by the ris-
ing of smokq. In these reconnoissances we run
the hazard of some danger, but fortunately all
the Indians that we met were friendly disposed,
and did not in the least sympathize with those
who had made hostile demonstrations.
When we arrived at Prairie du Chien we
took possession of the barncks, under the prior
orders of Gov. Cass, and remained there for
several days until we gave way to Col. Snell-
ing's troops who arrived from Fort Snelling.
While we remained there, a most serious difficulty
occurred between Col. Snelling, of the regular
army, and Capt. Fields and Lieut. Smith of our
volunteers, which eventuated in Lieut. Smith
sending Col. Snelling a challenge and Capt.
Fields insisted upon doing so likewise, but Col.
Hamilton and I at length dissuaded him from
it. Col. Snelling declined accepting Lieut.
Smith's challenge, and immediately sent a
corporal with a file of men to arrest Mr. Scott,
the bearer of Smith's communication. The
volunteers refused to surrender Scott into the
hands of the guard, but Col. Hamilton wrote a
note to Col. Snelling stating, in effect, that Scott
should immediately appear before him. Accord-
ingly Col. Hamilton and I conducted Mr. Scott
into the presence of Col. Snelling, who inter-
rogated him as to his knowledge of the con-
tents of Lieut. Smith's communication; and
upon Mr. Scott's assuring the colonel that he
was entirely ignorant of the subject-matter, he
was dismissed.
Col. Snelling then addressed the volunteers
in a pacific and conciliatory manner, which
seemed to dispose of the matter amicably; but
the colonel, nevertheless, refused to furnish us
with any means of support or any mode of con-
veyance back to Galena — as the boat in which
we came, returned there immediately after our
arrival. But for the noble generosity of Mr.
Lockwood, who kindly furnished us with a boat
and provisions, we would have been compelled
to have made our way back to Galena on foot,
or as best we could, without provisions. During
our entire stay at the garrison, we received the
kindest treatment and most liberal hospitality
at the hands of Mr. Lockwood. At the time of
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
211
our arrival at Prairie du Chien, the citizens had
in their custody as hostages for the good con-
duct of their Nation, three Indians, one of
whom was the well-known chief De-Kau-iay.
lie disclaimed on the part of his Nation as a
whole, any intention to engage in hostilities
with the whites; he was, however, retained
some time as a hostage before being released.
During our absence, another volunteer com-
j)any was raised, commanded by Gen. Dodge,
who was constantly in the field with his mounted
force, keeping in check the approach of the
enemy. During his rangings, he took young
Win-iie-shiek, son of. the chief Win-ne-shiek,
who was detained as a hostage for some time.
No farther disturbances of a serious character
took place that season; and in tlie succeeding
autumn, (^ens. Atkinson and Dodge held a
council or treaty with the Winnebagoes. After
this we had no more Indian troubles till 1832.
JAMES II. LOCKWOOD's ACCOUNT OF THE AVINNK-
BAGO WAR.
In the winter of 1825-26, the wise men at
Washington took it into their heads to remove
the troops from Fort Crawford to Fort Snelling,
and abandon the former. 'J'his measure was
then supposed to have been brought about on
the representation of Col. Snelling of Fort
Snelling, who disliked Prairie du Chien for
difficulties he had with some of the principal
inhabitants. During the winter there were
confined in the guar<lhouse at Fort Crawford
two Winnebago Indians, for some of their su])-
posed dishonest acts; but what they were
charged with, I do not now recollect. At that
time, as already mentioned, our mails from St.
Louis, the east and south, came via Springfield
to Galena, and the postmaster at Prairie du
Chien sent to Galena for the mails of tbat place
and Fort Snelling. An order would frequently
arrive by steamboat countermanding a previous
ordir for the abandonment of the fort, before
the arrival of first order by mail, and this mat-
ter cnniiiiued during the summer of 18-26, and
until Ociol)er, when a positive order arrived,
directing the commandant of Fort Crawford to
abandon the fort, and proceed with the troops
to Fort Snelling; and if he could not procure
ransportation, to leave the provisions, ammu-
nition and fort in charge of some citizen.
But a few days previous to this order, there
had been an alarming report circulated, that the
Winnebagoes were going to attack Fort Craw-
ford, and the commandant set to work repairing
the old fort, and making additional defenses.
During this time the positive order arrived, and
the i)recipitancy with which the fort was aban-
doned during the alarm was communicated to
the Indians through the half-breeds residing at
or visiting the pUce, which naturally caused
the Winnebagoes to believe that the troops liad
fled through fear of them. The commandant
took with him to Fort Snelling the two Winne-
bagoes confined in Fort Crawford, leaving be-
hind some provisions, and all the damaged
arms, with a brass swivel and a few wall pieces,
in charge of John Marsh, the then sub-agent at
this place.
The Winnebagoes, in the fall of 182G, ob-
tained from the traders their usual credit for
goods, and went to their hunting grounds ; but
early in the winter a report became current
among the traders that the Winnebagoes had
heard a rumor that the Americans and English
were going to war in the spring ; and lieuce
they were holding councils to decide upon the
course they should adopt, hunting barely
enough to obtain what they wanted to subsist
upon in the meantime.
Mr. Brisbois said to me several times dur-
ing t'le winter, that he feared some outrages
from the Winnebagoes in the spring, as from
all he could gather they were bent on war,
which I ought to have believed, as Mr. Bri-sbois
had been among them engaged in trade over
forty years. But I thought it im])Ossible that
the Winnebagoes, surrounded, as they were by
Americans, and troops in the country, should
for a moment seriously entertain such an idea.
I supposed it a false alarm, and gave myself
212
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
very little uneasiness about it ; but in the
spring, when they returned From their hunts, I
found that they paid much worse than usual,
although they were not celebrated for much
punctuality or honesty in paying their debts.
It was a general custom with. the traders, » hen
an Indian paid his debts in the spring pretty
well, on his leaving, to let him have a little
ammunition, either as a ])reseMt or on credit.
A Winnebago by the name of Wah-wah-peck-
ah, had taken a credit from me, and paid me
but a small part of it in the spring ; and when
I reproached him, lie was disposed to be impu-
dent about it ; and when his party were about
going, he applied to rae as usual for ammunition
for the summer, and insisted upon liaving some,
but I told him if he had behaved well, and paid
me his credit better, that I would have given
him some, but that he had behaved so bad that
I would not give him any, and he went away
in a surly mood.
A man by the name of Methode, I think, a
half-breed of some of the tribes of the north,
had arrived here, sometime in the summer of
1826, with his wife, and, I think, five children ;
and, sometime in March of 1827, he went witli
his family, up the Yellow or Painted Rock creek,
about twelve miles above tlie Prairie, on the
Iowa side of the Mississijipi river, to make
sugar. The sugar season being over, and he
not returning, and hearing nothing from him,
a party of his friends went to look for him, and
found his camp consumed, and himself, wife
and children burned nearly to cinders, and she
at the time enciente. They were .so crisped
and cindered that it was impossible to deter-
mine whether they had been murdered and then
burned, or whether their camp had accidentally
caught on tire and consumed them. It was
generally believed that the Winnebagoes had
murdered and burnt them, and Red Bird was
suspected to have been concerned in it; but I
am more inclined to think, that if murdered by
Indians, it was done by some Fox war party
searchinfir for Sioux.
In the spring of this year, 1827, while a Chip-
pewa chief called Hole-in-the-day, with a part
of bis band, visited Fort Snelling on business
with the government, and while under the guns
of the fort, a Sioux warrior shot one of the
Chippewas. The Sioux was arrested by the
troops, and confined in the guard-house. The
Chippewas requested Col. Snelling to deliver
the Sioux to them, to be dealt with after their
manner; to which he agreed, provided they
would give him a chance to run for his life. To
this they acceded. The Sioux was sent outside
of the fort, where the Chippewas were armed
with tomahawks and war clubs. He was to be
allowed a fair start, and at a signal started,
and one of the swiftest of the Chippewas
armed with a club and tomahawk after him, to
overtake and kill him if he could, which lie soon
effected, as the Sioux did not run fast,and when
overtaken made no resistance. 'I'he Winneba-
goes hearing a rumor of this, got the news
among them that the two Winnebagoes con-
fined there (for the murder of Methode and
family) had been executed.
During the spring of 1827, the reports about
the Winnebagoes bore rather a threatening as-
|iect; but, as I said before, situated as they
were I did not believe they would commit any
depredations. Under this belief, and having
urgent business in New York to purchase my
goods, I started for that city on the 2.5th of
June; it then took about six months to go and
return. Mine was the only ]Mirely American
f.imily at the prairie, after the garrison left.
There was Thomas McNair, who had married a
French girl of the prairie, and John Marsh, the
sub-Indian agent, who had no family, and there
were besides three or four Americans who had
been discharged from the army. Without ap-
piehension of danger from the Indians, I left
my family, which consisted of Mrs. Lockwood,
and her brother, a young man of between six-
teen and seventeen years of age, who was clerk
in charge of the store, and a servant girl be-
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
213
longing to one of the tribes of New York civi-
lized Indians settled near Green Bay.
I started to go by way of Green bay and the
lakes for New York, in a boat up the Wiscon-
sin, and down the Fox river to Green Bay;
thence in a vessel to Buffalo, and down the
canal to Albany, and thence by steamboat to
New York city. About 4 o'clock in the after-
noon of the first day's journey up the Wiscon-
sin, I came to an island where were sitting
three Winnebagoes smoking, the oldest called
Wah-wah-peck-ah, who had a credit of me the
fall previous and had paid but little of it in
the spring; the other two were young men not
known to me by name. They had some venison
hanging on a pole, and we stopped to purchase
it. As I stepped on shore I discovered an ap-
pearance of cold reserve unusual in Indians in
such meetings, and as I went up to them I said,
'bonjour'' the usual French salutation, which
they generally understood; but Wah-wah-peck-
ah said that he would not say '■bonjour'' to me.
Upon which I took hold of his hand and shook
it, asking him why he would not say, bonjour, to
me? H(> inquired what the news was. I told
him I had no news. He told me that the Win-
nebagoes confined at Fort Snelling had been
killed. I assured him that it was not ti'ue, that
I had seen a person lately from that fort, who
told me of the death of the Sioux, but that the
Winnebagoes were alive. He then gave nu; to
understand tliat if such was the case, it was well;
but if the Winiicljagoes were killed, tliey would
avenge it. I succeeded in jiurchasing the venison,
giving thorn some powder in exchange, and as
I was about to step on board of my boat, Wah-
wah-peck-ah wanted some whisky, knowing
that we always carried some for our men.
I directed one of the men to give them each a
drink, which Wah-wah-peck-ah refused, and
taking up his cup that he had by him, he
showed by signs that he wanted it filled; and
believing that the Indians were sefeking some
pretense for a quarrel as an excuse for doing
mischief, I thought it most prudent under the
circumstances to comply.
There were among the boats' crew some old
iioyff(/<3?<r«, well acquainted with Indian manners
and customs, who, from the conduct of these
Indians, became alarmed. We, however, em-
barked, watching the Indians, each of whom
stood on the bank with his gun in his hand.
As it was late in the day, we proceeded a few
miles up the river and encamped for the night.
As soon as the boat left the island, the three
Indians each got into his hunting canoe, and
the two young Indians came up on either side
opposite the bow of the boat, and continued
thus up the river until we encamped while
Wah-wah-peck-ah ke])t four or five rods behind
the boat. They encamped with us, and com-
menced running and )>laying with the men on
the sand beach; and after a little the young
Indians proposed to go hunting deer by candle-
light, and asked me to give them some candles to
hunt with, which I did, with some ammunition,
and they promised to return with venison in
the morning. After they had gone, Wah-wah-
peck-ah proposed also to go hunting, and begged
some candles and ammunition, but remained in
camp over night. Morning came, but the young
Indians did not return, and I saw no more of
them. In the morning, after Wah-wah-peck-ah
had begged something more, he started, pre-
tending to go down the river, and went as we
sup]iosed; but about an hour afterward, as we
were passing on the right of the upper end of
the island on which we had encamped, I saw
Wah-wah-jiock-ali coming up on the left. He
looked very surly, ami we exchanged no words,
but we were all satisfied that he was seeking
some good opportunity to shoot me, and from
the singular conduct of the Indians, I and my
men were considerably alarmed. But about 9
o'clock in the morning, meeting a band of In-
dians from the portage of Wisconsin, who ap-
peared to be glad to see me, and said they were
going to Prairie du Chiou, my fears with those
of the men were somewhat allayed. I wrote
214
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
with my pencil a hasty line to my wife, which
the Indians promised to deliver, but they never
did, as they did not go there.
This day, the "ibth of June, we proceeded up
the Wisconsin without seeing any Indians until
we came near Prairie du Baic, when an Indian,
alone in a hunting canoe, came out of some nook
and approached us. He was gullen, and we
could get no talk out of him. We landed on
Prairie du Bale, and he stopped also; and a few
moments thereafter, a canoe of Menomonees
arrived from Prairie du (hien, bringing a brief
note from John Marsh, saying the Winnebagoes
had murdered a man of mixed French and negro
blood, named Rijeste Gagnier, and Solomo}i
Lipcap, and for me, for God's sake, to return.
I immediately got into the canoe with the Me-
nomonees, and directed my men to i:)roceed to
tlie portage, and if I did not overtake' them to
go on to Green BaJ^. I proceeded down the
river with the Menoraoiues, and when we had
descended to the neighborhood where we had
fallen in with the Indians the day before, we
met Wah-wah-peck-ali coming up in his hunting
canoe a'one, having with him his two guns.
He inquired if I was going to tiie Prairie. I
tiild hira I was. He then told me that the
whiskey at the Prairie was .shut up, but did not
tell nie of the murders, and asked me that should
lie come to the Prairie whether I would let him
have some whiskey? I told hira I certainly
would if he brought some furs, not wishing then
to make any explanation, or to enter into any
argument with him.
About this time, we heard back of an island,
and on the southern shore of the Wisconsin, the
Winnebagoes singing their war songs and danc-
ing, with which I was familiar; and so well
satisfied was I that Wah-wah-peck-ah was only
seeking a favorable opportunity to shoot me,
that if I had had a gun where he met us, I be-
lieve that I should have shot him. After talk-
ing with him the Menomonees moved down the
river, and arrived at tlie mouth of the VV^iscon-
sin about dark without seeing any more Winne-
bagoes. It was so dark that the Menomonees
thought that we had better stop until morning,
and we accordingly crawled into the bushes
without a fire and fought mosquitoes all night,
and the next morning, the 27th, proceeded to
the Prairie. I went to my house and found it
vacant, and went to the old village where I
found my family and most of the inhabitants of
the Prairie, assembled at the house of Jean
Brunet, who kept a tavern. Mr. Brunet had a
quantity of square timber about him, and the
people proposed building breast-works with it.
I learned on my arrival at the Prairie that
on the preceding day, the 26th, Red Bird, (wlio,
when dressed, always wore a red coat and called
himself English), went to my house with two
other Indians, and entering the cellar kitchen,
loaded their guns in the presence of the servant
girl, and went up through the hall into Mrs.
Lockwood's bed-room where she was sitting
alone. The moment the Indians entered her
room she believed they came to kill her, and
immediately passed into and through the parlor,
and crossed the hall into the store to her broth-
er, where she found Duncan Graham, who had
been in the country about forty years as a trader,
and was known by all the Indians as an Eng-
lishman. He had been a captain in the British
Indian de]iartment during the War of 1812, and
a part of the time was commandant at Prairie
du (hien. The Indians followed Mrs. Lock-
wood into the store, and Mr. Graham by some
means induced them to leave the house.
They then proceeded to McNair's Coulee, about
two miles from the village, at the lower end of
Prairie du Chien, where lived Rijeste Gagnier;
his « ife was a mixed blood of French and Sioux
extraction, ith two children ; and living with
him was an old discharged American soldier by
the name of Solomon Lipcap. The Winneba-
goes commenced a quarrel with Gagnier, and
finally shot him, I believe, in the house. Lip-
cap, at work hoeing in the garden near the
house, they also shot. During the confusion,
Mrs. Gagnier seized a gun, got out at the back
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
215
window with her boy about three years old on
her back, and proceeded to the village with the
startling news. The cowardly Indians followed
lier a part of the way, but dared not attack her.
On her arrival at the village a party wont to
the scene of murder, and found and brought
away the dead, and the daughter of Mr. Gagnier,
about one year old, whom the mother in her
fright had forgotten. The Indians had scalped
her and inflicted a severe wound in her neck,
and left her for dead, and had thrown iier un-
der the bed, but she was found to be still alive.
She got well, and arriving at womanhood got
married, and has raised a family of children ;
she is yet alive and her eldest daughter was but
recently married.
The peo])Ie had decided not to occupy the old
fort, as a report had been circulated that the
Indians had said that they intended to burn it
if the inhabitants should take refuge there.
During the day of the 2'7th, the people occupied
themselves in making some breast-works of the
timber about IMr. Biunet's tavern getting the
swivel and wall ]iieces from the fort, and the
condemned muskets and repairing them, and
concluded they would defend themselves, each
commanding, none obeying, but every one giv-
ing liis opitiion freely.
About sunset one of the two keel-boats ar-
rived that had a few days previously gone to
Fort Snelling with supplies for the garrison,
having on board a dead Indian, two dead men
of the crew and four wounded. The dead and
wounded of the crew were inhabitants of Prairie
du Cliien who had shipped on the up-bound
tri|). They reported that they had been attacked
the evening before, about sunset, by the Win-
nebago *Indians, near the mouth of Bad Ax
•Ex-Gov. Keynolrts. of Illinois, in his volume of his Life.
and Timc^, thus states the iuiraerliivte cause of this attack.
That somewhere al)ove Prairie l>u Chien on their upward trip,
they stopped at a lartre camp of Winnelia^^o Indians, gave
them some tiijuor freely and pot Iheni drunk, when they
forced six or seven srjuaws, stupelie^l with liquor, on board
the Itoats, for cnrntiA. anil linital pur]i'i.vcs, and kept them
during their voyage to Kort Snelling and on their return.
When the Winnebago Indians became sober, and fully con-
scious of the injury done them, the.v mustered ail (heir
forces, amounting to several hundred and attacked the fore-
most of the descending boats in which their squaws were
contined. But this story has since been proven to be without
foundation.
river, and the boat received about 500 shots,
judging from the marks on its bow and sides.
The Indians were mostly on an island on the
west of the chautiel, near to which the boat
had to pass, and the wind blowing strong from
the east, drifted llie boat towards the shore,
where the Indians were, as the steering oar had
been abandoned by tlie steersman. During this
time, two of the Indians succeeded in getting
on board of the boat. One of them mounted the
roof, and fired in from the fore part; but he was
soon shot and fell off into the river, 'i'he other
Indian took the steering oar and endeavored to
steer the boat to the island. He was also shot
and brought down in the boat where he fell.
During all this time the Indians kept up a
lot fire. The boat was fast drifting towards
a sand bar near the sliore, and tliey would
all have been murdered had it not been for
the brave, resolute conduct of an old soldier
on board, called Saucy Jack (his surname I do
not remember), who, during the hottest of the
fire, jumped over at the bow and pushed the
boat off, and where he must have stood the boat
was literally covered with ball marks, so that
his escape seemed a miracle. They also report-
ed that early the day before the attack, they
were lashed to the other boat drifting, and that
they liad grounded on a sand bar and separated,
since which time they Iiad not seen or heard
anything of the other boat, and thought proba-
bly that it had fallen into the hands of the In-
dians.
This created an additional alarm among the
inhabitants. The same evening my boat re-
turned, the men becoming too much alarmed to
proceed. That night sentinels were posted by
the inhabitants within the breast-work.s, who
saw, in imagination, a great many Indians prowl-
ing about in the darkness ; and in the morning
there was a great variety of opinion as to what
was best to be done for the safety of the place,
and appearances betokened a great deal of un-
easiness in the mindti of all classes.
216
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
On the morning of the 28th I slept rather
late, owing to the fatigue of the preceding day.
My brother-in-law awakened me, and told me
the people had got into some difficulty, and that
they wished me to come out and see if I could
not settle it. I went out on the gallery, and
inquired what the difficulty was ; and heard the
various plans and projects of defense proposed
by different persons. Some objected to stayiTig
in the village and protecting tl e property of
the villagers while theirs, outside the village,
was equally exposed to the pillage of the In-
dians. Others were for remaining and fortify-
ing where thoy were, and others still urged the
repairing of the old fort. As the eminence on
which my house stood overlooked tiie most of
the prairie, some were for concentrating our
people there and fortifying it. After hearing
these different projects, I addressed them some-
thing as follows: "As to your fortifying my
house, you can do so, if it is thought best, but I
do not wish you to go there to protect it ; I have
abandoned it, and if the Indians burn it, so be
it; but there is one thing, if we intend to pro-
tect ourselves from the Indians, we must keep
together, and some one must command."
Some one then nominated me as commander,
but I said: "No, I would not attempt to com-
mand you, but here is Thomas McNair, who
holds from the governor a commission of cap-
tain over the militia of this place and has a
right to command; if you will agree to obey
him implicitly, I will set the example of obedi-
ence to his orders, and will, in that case, furnish
you with powder and lead as long as you want
to shoot (I being the only person having those
articles in the place)^ but unless you agree to
obey McNair, I will put my family and goods
into my boats and go down the river, as I will
not risk myself with a mob under no control."
Upon this they agreed to acknowledge Mr. Mc-
Nair as commander, and I was satisfied that he
would take advice upon all measures undertaken.
Joseph Brisbois was lieutenant, and Jean Erunet
was ensign, both duly commissioned by the
governor. Capt. McNair ordered a move of all
the families, goods wiih the old guns, to the
fort, and it was near sunset before we had all
got moved there.
About that time we discovered the skiff of
the other keel-boat coming around a point of
an island near Yellow river, about three miles
distant; but we could not discover whether they
were white men or Indi:uis in the canoe, and of
course it created an alarm, but in a few moments
tiiereafter, the keel-boat iiove in sight and the
alarm ceased. It soon arrived, reporting that
they had received a few shots in passing the
places where the other boat had been attacked,
but had received no injury. On this boat
Joseph Snelling, son of Col. Snelling, returned
to Prairie du Ciiien. Joseph Snelling and my-
self acted as sujjernumeraries under Capt. Mc-
Nair. The government of Fort Crawford was
conducted by a council of the captain and those
wdio acted under him. It was immediately re-
solved to repai the old fort as well as possible
for defense, and the fort and block-house were
put in as good order as circumstances and ma-
terials would admit. Dirt was thrown up two
or three feet high around the bottom logs of
the fort, which w ere rotten and dry, and would
easily ignite. Joseph Snelling was put in coni-
mand of one of the block-houses, and Jean Bru-
nei of the other, with a few picked men in each,
who were trained to the use of the swivel and
wall pieces that were found and mounted tlieie-
in; and a number of baiivls were ])laced around
the quarters tilled with « ater, with orders, in
case of an attack, to cover the roof of the
building with blankets, etc., and to keep them
wet. All the blacksmiths were put in requisition
to repair the condemned muskets fotmd in the
fort, and, musteiing our force, we found of men
and women about ninety that could handle a
musket in case of an attack.
The next day after taking possession of the
fort, J. 15. Loyer, an old voyageiir, was engaged
to cross the Mississippi and go back through
the country, now the State of Iowa, to inform
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
219
Col. Snelling, commanding Fort Snelling, of
our situation. For this service Loyer was prom-
ised fifty dollars, and furnished with a horse
to ride and i)rovisions, and Duncan Graham
was engaged to accompany him, for which he
was to receive twenty dollars, provisions and
a horse to ride; and for these payments, I be-
came personally responsible.
Gov. Cass, who had come to Butte des Morts,
on the Fox river, to hold a treaty with the Win-
nebagoes, learned from rumer that there was
dissatisfaction among thom, and starting in his
canoe,' arrived at Prairie du Chien on the
morning of the 4th of July. He ordered the
company of militia into the service of the
United States, and appointed me quarter-mas-
ter and commissary, with tlie request that I
would use my uwii funds for the supply of the
department, and that he would sec it refunded;
and, fiirtliermorc, assumed the debt for anmiii-
nition and provisions already advanced, and
also the expenses of the express to Fort Snell-
ing, and direc^ted me to issue to the troops a
keel-boat load of tiour, that I previously receijit-
ed for to one of the agents of the contractors foi
Fort Snelling, who feared to go farther with it.
After these arrangements had been made,
Gov. Cass proceeded iu his canoe to Galena,
and raised a volunteer company under the late
Col Abner Fields as captain, and assigned him
to the command of Fort Crawford. Lieut. Mar-
tin Thomas, of the United States ordnance de-
partment, and then stationed at the arsenal
near Si. Louis, who happened to be at Galena,
came up and mustered the two companies of the
militia into the sei^vice of the United States;
and contracted with Phineas Black, of the vil-
lage of Louisiana, in Missouri, wliom he found
at Galena, for a quantity of pork which was
sent up by the boat tjiat brought the volunteer
company. Gov. Cass proceeded from Galena to
St. Louis to confer with Gen. Atkinson, then
in command of JeflFersm l)arracks and of the
wcMern military department. This resulted in
Gen. Atkinson's moving up the Mississippi with
the disposable force under command at Jef-
ferson barracks. During this time Col. Snell-
ing came down th« Mississippi with two com-
panies of the 5th regiment of United States In-
fantry, and assumed the command of Fort
Crawford, and soon after discharged the Galena
volunteer company, as they could not well be
brought under military discipline. But the
Prairie du Chien company was retained in ser-
vice until some time in the month of August,
for whicli service, through the fault of some
one, they never received any pay.
During this time Gen. Atkinson arrived with
the troops from Jefferson barracks, having on
his way up dispatched a volunteer force under
Gen. Dodge from Galena, to proceed by land
to tlie portage of Wisconsin. When Gen. At-
kinson, with great difficulty, owing to the low
state of the water in the Wisconsin, arrived at
tlie portage, he mot old grey-headed Day-Kau-
Ray, with his Viand, who, finding himself sur-
rounded by the volunteers in the rear, and
Gen. Atkinson's force of regulars in front, and
a coin]iany of volunteers from Green Bay, con-
cluded to disclaim any unfriendly feelings to-
wards the United States, and disavowed any
(ionnection with the murders on the Mississip|)i.
Gen. Atkinson, on these assurances of Day-
Kau-Ray, returned, but ordered the occupation
of Fort Crawford by two companies of trooj>s.
Notwithstanding these murders of our citizens
and movements of troops, the wise men at
Washington, with about as much judgment as
they generally decide upon Indian affairs, de-
cided that this was not an Indian war.
After the people had taken possession of the
fort, and before the arrival of Gen. Cass, Indi-
ans were seen in the village, and a guard was
sent out to take them and bring them to the
fort. They made no resistance, but siiripndered
themselves and were brought to the guard
house. One proved to be the famous Red Bird,
who headed the party fliat murdered Gagnier
and liipcap ; another was Wali-wah-peck-ah, the
Indian 1 had met up the Wisconsin river, and
14
220
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
whose conduct had so much alarmed me and my
men ; the other was a young Indian whose
name I do not recollect. There heing no charge
of crime against Wah-wah-peck-ah and the
young Indian, after the United States troops
were stationed at Fort Crawford, they were dis-
charged ; and Red Bird was retained in the
guard-house, where he died before he was tried
for the murder of Gagnier and Lipcap.
AN INTERESTING EVENT OF THE WINNEBAGO
WAK.
On the 1st of September, 1827, Maj. Wil-
liam Whistler, with government troops, arrived
at the portage ; and, while there, an express
arrived from Gen. Atkinson, announcing his ap-
proach, and directing him to halt and fortify
himself, and await his arrival. The object of
the joint expedition of Gen. Atkinson from Jef-
ferson barracks, below St. Louis, and of Maj.
Whistler, from Fort Howard, at Green Bay,
was to capture those who had committed the
murders at Prairie du Chien, and put a stop to
any further aggression. The Winnebagoes
were advised that the security of their people
lay in the surrender of the murderers of the
Gagnier family. While Maj. Whistler was at
the portage, he received a call in a mysterious
way. An Indian came to his tent and informed
him that, at about 3 o'clock the next day, "they
will come in." In reply to the question, "who
will come in ?" he said, "Red Bird and We-
Kau." After making this answer he retired by
the way he came. At 3 o'clock the same day,
another Indian came and took position in nearly
the same place and in the same way, when to
like questions he gave like answers; and at sun-
down a third came, confirming what the two
had said, adding, that he had, to secure that ob-
ject, given to the families of the murderers near-
ly all his property.
There was something heroic in this voluntary
surrender. The giving away of property to the
families of the guilty parties had nothing to do
with their determination to devote themselves
for the good of their people, but only to recon-
cile those who were about to be bereaved to the
dreadful expedient. The heroism of the pur-
pose is seen in the fact that the murders com-
mitted at Prairie du Chien were not wanton,
but in retaliation for wrongs committed on this
people by the whites. The parties murdered at
the prairie were doubtless innocent of the
wrongs and outrages of which the Indians com-
plained; but the law of Indian retaliation does
not require that he alone who commits a wrong
shall suffer for it. One scalp is held due for an-
other, no matter whose head is taken, provided
it be torn from the crown of the family, or peo-
ple who may have made a resort to this law a
necessity.
About noon of the day following there were
seen descending the mound on the portage a
body of Indians. Some were mounted and
some were on foot. By the aid of a glass the
Americans could discern the direction to be to-
wards their position. They bore no arms,and no
one was at a loss to understand that the promise
made by the three Indians was about to be ful-
filled. In the course of half an hour they had
aproached within a short distance of the cross-
ing of Fox river, when on a sudden singing was
heard. Those who were familiar with the air
said, "It is a death song." When still nearer
some present who knew him said, "It is Red
Bird singing his death song." The moment a
halt was made, preparatory to crossing over, two
scalp yells were heard. The Menomonees and
other Indians who had accompanied the troops
were lying carelessly about the ground, regard;
less of what was going on; but when the "scalp
yells" were uttered, they sprang to their feet
as one man, seized their rifles, and were ready
for battle. They were at no loss to know what
these yells were; but they had not heard with
suflicient accuracy to deci-de whether they indi-
cated scalps to be taken or given, but doubtless
inferred the first.
Barges were sent across to receive and an
escort of military to accompany them within
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
221
the lines. The white flag which had been seen
in the distance was borne by Red Bird.
And now the advance of the Indians liad
reached half up the ascent of the bluff on which
was the encampment. In the lead wasCar-i-mi-
nie, a distinguished chief. Arriving on the
level upon which was the encampment of tlie
Americans, order being called, Car-i-mi-nie
spoke, saying, "They are here. Like braves
they have come in; treat them as braves; do
not put.thera in irons." This address was made
to Col. McKenney. The latter told him he
was not the big captain. His talk must be
made to Maj. Whistler, who would do what was
right. Mr. jNIarsli, the sub-agent, being there,
an advance was made to him, and a hope ex-
]iressed that the prisoners might be turned over
to him.
The military had been previously drawn
out in line. The Menoraonee and Wabatickii
(Oneida) Indians were in groups uijon tlicir
haunches, on the left tlank. On the right was
the band of music, a little in advance of tlic
liiir. In front of the center, about ten paci>
ilistant, were the murderers. On their right
and left were those who had accompanied them,
forming a semi-circle; the magnificent Red
l^ird and the miserable looking We-Kau, a little
in advance of the center. All eyes were fixed
on Red Bird. In height he was about six feet,
straight, but without restraint. His jiroportions
Were those of most exact symmetry; and these
embraced the entire man from his head to his
feet.
He and We-Kau were told to sit down. At
this moment the band struck up Plcyel's hymn.
Everything was still. Red Bird turned his
eyes toward the band. The music having
ceased, he took up his pouch, and taking from
it kinnikinnic and tobacco, cut the latter in the
palm of his hand, after tiie Indian fashion,
then rubbing the two together, filled the bowl
of his calumet, struck fire on a bit of punk with
his flint and steel, lighted and smoked it. All
sat except the speaker. The substance of what
they said was as follows:
They were required to bring in the mur-
derers. They had no power over any except
two; the third had gone away; and these bad
voluntarily agreed to come in and give them-
selves up. As their friends they had come
with them. They hoped their white brother
would agree to accept the horses, of which
there were perhaps twenty; the meaning of
which was, to take them in commutation for
the lives of their two friends. They asked
kind treatment for them, and earnestly besought
that they might not be put in irons, and con-
cluded by asking for a little tobacco and some-
thing to eat.
They were answered and told in substance
that they had done well thus to come in. By
having done so they had turned away our guns
and saved their peo])lc. They were admonished
against placing themselves in a like sit\iation
in the future, and advised, when they were
aggrieved, not to resort to violence, but to go
to their agent, who would inform the Great
Father of their complaints, and he would re-
dress their grievances; that their friends should
be treated kindly, and tried by the same laws,
by which their Gieat Father's white children
were tried; that for the present Red Bird and
We-Kau should not be put in irons; that they
should all have something to eat and tobacco
to smoke.
Having heard this, Red Bird stood up; tlie
commanding officer, ]Maj. Whistler, a few paces
in front of the center of the line facing liim.
After a moment's pause and a quick surve)- of
the troops, he spoke, saying: "I am ready."
Then advancing a step or two, lie paused say-
ing, "I do not wish to be put in irons; let me
be free. I have given away my life; it is gone"
(stooping and taking some dust between his
thumb and finger and blowing it away), "like
that," eyeing.the dust as it fell and vanished
from his sight, adding, "I would not take it
back, it is gone." Having thus spoken, he
222
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
threw bis hands behind him and marched up to
Maj. Whistler, breast to breast. A platoon
was wlieeled backward from the center of the
line, when, the major stepping aside, Red Bird
and We-Kau marched through the line, in
charge of a file of men, to a tent provided for
them in the rear, where a guard was set over
them. The comrades of the two captives then
left the ground by the way they had come, tak-
ing with them our advice and a supply of meat,
Hour and tobacco.
We-Kau, the miserable looking being, the ac-
complice of Red Bird, was in all things the
oj>positeof that unfortunate brave. Never were
two persons so totally unlike. The one seemed
a prince, and as if born to command and wor-
thy to be obeyed; the other as if he had been
born to be hanged; meager, cold, dirty in his
person and dress, crooked in form like the
starved wolf; gaunt, hungry, and blood-thirsty;
his entire appearance indicating the presence of
a spirit wary, cruel and treacherous. The pris-
oners were committed into safe keeping at
Prairie du Chien to wait their trial in the reg-
ular courts of justrice for murder.
last act in the winnebago war.
John Quincy Adams,Pbesident of the United
States of Amekica.
To all wJiO shall see these presents, Greeting:
Whereas, at a court of Oyer and Terminer,
held at the village of Prairie du Chien, in the
month of September, A. D. 1828. Wa-ni-ga,
otherwise called the Sun, and Chick-hong-sic,
otherwise called Little Beuffe, were convicted
of the offense of murder in the second degree,
and the said Chick-hong-sic, otherwise called
Little Beuflfe, was also convicted of another
offense of murder in the second degree; And,
whereas, also it appears satisfactorily to me
that the clemency of the executive may be ex-
tended to the said convicts without injury to
the public;
Now, therefore, I, John Quincy Adams, Presi-
dent of the United States of America, in con-
sideration of the promises,divers other good and
sufficient causes one hereunto moving, have
granted and do hereby grant to the said Wa-ni-
ga, otherwise called the Sun, and to the said
Chick-hong-sic, otherwise called Little Beuffe,
my full and free pardon for the offenses afore-
said.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed
my name, and caused the seal of the LTnited
States to be affixed to these presents. Given
at the city of Washington this third day of
November, A. D. , 1828 and of the Indepen-
dence of the United States the fifty-third.
By the President; J. Q. Adams.
H. Clay, Secretary of State.*
sirs. COASJI CHEBRIER (nee GAGNIER).f
My father was born in St. Louis; he came
to Prairie du Chien about the time of the last
war with England.
My mother Theresa Chalefau, was born in
Prairie du Chien; her father came to Prairie du
Chien from Canada, before the last war with
England.
I was born in this place (now called French-
town) Aug. 15, 1826. The following spring
my father moved his family to a house on what
is now known as the Ackerly place, a short dis-
tance below the limits of " Lower Town. "
The house had only one room. It was there
that the murder of father and Lipcap, and the
terrible mutilation of myself occurred.
I will tell the story as learned from my mother.
June 10, 1827, my father visited the village of
Prairie du Chien; the afternoon of that day
mother noticed there were skulking Indians on
the bluff east of the house, partially concealed,
but being accustomed to seeing Indians almost
daily, was not alarmed. Father did not return
*Copied from the original pardon.
t The autobio8:rahical account which follows was taken
from the lips of Louisa Cherrler mcc Gagnier). wife of Coasm
(usually known as Comb) Cherrier. Mr. Cherrler, wife and
children, reside in what is usually known as "French Town, "
in the town of Prairie du Chien. What Mrs. Cherrier re-
lates is the story often told her by her mother, Theresa Gaer-
nier, wife of Ri'geste Gaf^nier. It will be noticed that the
narrative differs in some important particulars from that
given previously in this chapter; but there are so many ad-
ditional and exceedingly interesting statements that, iu the
main, are doubtless correct, as to justif.v the insertion of
this relation as a sequel to the so-called "Winnebago War."
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
223
liome until about noon of the next day, (June
11). He was accompanied by his half brother,
Paschal Menoir, after dinner the family con-
sisting of father, mother, Lipcap (an old man
living with us), my brother Frank, three yenrs
old, myself, nearly ten months old, and Paschal
Menoir (visitor), were having an after dinner
chat. Young Menoir was sitting in the open
window on the west side of the house, facing
the door. My father was sitting on a trunk
against the wall, to the right of the window,
and also facing the door. My mother had re-
turned to the work of the day, family washing.
My brother Frank was amusing himself. Lip-
cap had gone to his work in the corn patch not
very far from the house. I had creeped to my
father's feet and lifted myself by his clothing,
and was standing with my hands on his knees.
At this moment four Indians, who had reached
the door unnoticed, entered the room. Mother
placed four chairs, and bade them be seated;
they complied, the table being as left. Mother
asked them to have dinner; they replied; "We
are not hungry, but thirsty." She satisfied their
wants, and watching them closely, she said to
fatlier in French: "These Indians mean to do us
some harm." Father made no reply. My father's
gun was hanging in fastenings to a joist directly
over h| three of the Indians had guns in
their hands, the fourth, a chief, whose Indian
name signified "Little Sun," was seated the
nearest to my father, with his side toward him.
This Indian had, unknown to the family, a
shorter gun concealed under his blanket, and it
was held in such a position as to bring my
father in range. One of the other Indians left
his chair, and took down my father's gun.
Father instantly rose, seized and wrenched the
gun from him, and stood it by the trunk, then
both were seated again. My father spoke to
mother, saying: "Come take this little girl."
At this moment, at a signal from one of the
other Indians, "Little Sun" fired his concealed
gun, the bullet entering the right breast of my
father, who had not changed his position. At
almost the same instant another Indian shot his
gun at Paschal Menoir, who was still sitting in
the window, but missed him. Young Menoir,
with great presence of mind, fell backward,
through the window. He was undoubtedly sup-
posed by the Indians to have been killed, and
was not immediately looked after. He made
his escape into the timber, which stood close up
to that side of the house.
The house was filled with powder smoke; my
little brother was crying and calling for mother.
Mother picked him up and ran out of the house.
The Indians had preceded her, and leaped over
the fence near the house. Mother, -with Frank,
made her way over the fence, and dropped di-
rectly in front of one of the Indians, who was
crouching, unnoticed by her, on that side. Drop-
ping the child, she seized his gun, and with un-
natural strength, wrenched it away from him,
and instantly cocked it, with the intention of
killing him; some irresistible impulse compelled
her at the moment of firing, to give an upward
inclination, sufficient to carry the bullet over
the Indian's head. She threw the gun after the
Indians, who had started to kill Lipcap. My
mother then returned to the house. I had
creeped Under the bed. The house was par-
tially cleared from smoke. Father was not
dead, but could not speak or move, but made
motions with his eyes, which she clearly under-
stood as saying: "Make your escape." She then
ran out, and through a picket fence, which di-
vided their grounds from those of a man named
Joseph Lambeire, who was eating his dinner in
his cabin, which he occupied alone. He had
heard the shots fired, but did not know their
meaning.
My mother who had not been to Prairie du
Chien since they moved to the place, did not
even know the way. She hurriedly told him
what had occurred, and asked him to help her
escape. Lambeire whose horse was tied to a
fence near by, told her to bring the horse. She
did so, when he mounted and rode cowardly
and rapidly away, without a word to her, who
224
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
then returned to the house. Fatlier, wlio still
liveJ, agaiu with expressive look, plainly sig-
naled "get away." Mother then with my little
brother, made her way into the timber close to
the house, into which Menoir had escaped.
(All this occurred in a little time). While
doing this, she discovered that Lipcap was
being chased by the Indians, and making his
way toward her, shouting, "wait for me." In
her flight, she noticed a large soft maple tree,
which had been blown down, and that the
place where it had stood, was surrounded by a
dense new growth of brush. She crept into
this, and into the cavity made by uprooting the
tree, placed Frank, and crouching low over
him, remained almost breathless, until within
twelve feet of her hiding place, the Indians
overtook Lipcap and killed him with their
knives, mutilating him and taking his scalp.
My mother was not discovered.
The Indians then returned to the house.
Paschal Menoir, who from his jjlace of conceal-
ment, had kept a close watch, noticing this,
took the opportunity to make his way to the
village. He reached exhausted, the house of
Julian Lariviere; he there found Frank Dechu-
quette, who mounted his horse and alatmed tlie
people, who turned out to the rescue "ent)iasse"
My mother in the meantime, alive to the
necessity of making her escape, liad left licr
hiding place, and unnoticed by tlie Indians,
found fathers horse, and with Frank h;id
mounted, and was searching for the road to the
village, when she saw the people coming to the
relief. The Indians after killing Lipcap, made
their last return to the house. I had creeped
from under the bed, to the door. Of khe brutal
treatment of myself, "Little Sun," in his testi-
mony given at the trial of himself and the chief,
"Red Bird," for these murders said, "that he
first gave the child a kick on the left hip, and
then with his gun barrel in his hands, struck
her with the breech of the gun on the riglit
shoulder, and with his knife struck her across
the back of the neck, intending to behead her,
and carry the liea<l away with him," at this
moment the other Indians outside of the house
shouted, that "people are coming." He said, "I
then took her scalp and with it part of the
skull," he then scalped my father, down whose
dying face, he said the tears were flowing, at
witnessing the horrid butchery of myself.
When the people from the village reached
the house, my father was dead. The Indians
were gone. I was lying in a pool of my own
blood, and supposed to be dead. Julian, son of
Julian Lariviere, wrapped me in his handker-
chief, and carried me to his fathers house,
where some hours later, when being washed
preparatory to burial, I was first discovered to
be alive, and by careful nursing and tender
care, under kind Providence, was restored to
health.
The motives which actuated the Indians to
commit these terrible murders, are not fully
understood. The family believed that an in-
dignity received by "Little Sun," at the hands
of Rigiste Gagnier, was the immediate cause.
The facts on which this belief is based, are told
by Mrs. Cherrier, as follows: "In those years
whenever a Catholic priest would visit Prairie
du Chien, to celebrate mass, a procession
would be formed by all of our Catholic people,
and would march in line to the house devoted
to the services of the day. Upon one of these
occasions, among the lookers on was the
Winnebago chief, "Little Sun" intentionally or
otherwise. He was in the line of march, and
as the head of the procession reached him, re-
fused to move. Some confusion ensued. My
father leaving his place in the line, advanced to
the front, and seizing tlie chief, threw him one
side with such force as caused him to fall to the
ground. Arising with a murderous look and
tone, "Little Sun" said, "you have thrown me
down, but when I throw you down, you will
never get up again."
My first husband's name was Moreaux. He
died in 1855. By that marriage, we had ten
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
225
children, seven of whom are now living. I
was married to Mr. Cherrier, March 1, 1862.
We have had three children — Magdalene, born
Dec. 6, 1863; Felix, born Oct. 7, 1865; and
Louisa, born Feb. 29, 1868. The last named
died in infancy.
My mother married again in 1831. Her
second husband's name was St. Germain. They
had two children — David and Hattie. My
mother died in 1836 with the small-pox. My
st«p-father died in January, 1882. Pascal
Menoir died in Prairie du Chien, in 1882.
226
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
CHAP T'E R VII.
THE BLACK HAWK WAR.
To the people of Crawford county the brief
contest between a portion of the Sac and
Fox Indians and the Americans, in 1832, known
from the name of the leader of the savages as
the Black Hawk War, promises more than
usual interest, for the reason that, within the
limits of the county, as then constituted, oc-
curred one of the principal incidents of the war.
In the outline history of Wisconsin, previously
given, a brief sketch of the hostile movements of
both parties engaged in the work of death, will
be found ; but, at this point, it is proposed to
enter more into detail.
Black Hawk's return from the west side of
the Mississippi, and his moving up Rock river,
caused the mustering into the service of the
United States, in Illinois, of about 800 volun-
teers, who were sent in pursuit. Gen. II. At-
kinson, brevet brigadier general in the United
States Army, followed the militia with his reg-
ulars, but at too great a distance to afford sup-
port. On the 12th of May the volunteers
reached Dixon's ferry, where they were joined
by 275 men from the northern counties of the
State. The latter force, however, were imme-
diately sent out on scouting duty. But the two
battalions still moved along together until
Stillman's run was reached ; the creek then be-
ing known as Kishwaukee, about thirty miles
above the ferry.
BATTLE OF STILLMAN's RUN.
Black Hawk now made advances for peace,
but two his messengers being killed, the ne-
gotiations were broken off. That chief at this
time had but forty men under his immediate
command, most of his party being some ten
miles away; nevertheless, with his handful of
warriors, he started back to meet his pursuers.
Raising the war-whoop, he rushed in upon the
volunteers and scattened them in every direc-
tion. The fugitives, in their flight, did not
stop until the ferry was reached. This was
afterward known as "the battle of Stillman's
Run," of May U, 1832. The governor of Illi-
nois issued a proclamation immediately after,
calling foran additional force of 2,000 mounted
volunteers. These incidents caused throughout
the west the greatest alarm. The loss of the
Indians in this, the first battle of the war,
was none. Of the volunteers, one major, one
captain and nine of the rank and file were
killed, and five men wounded.
On the 17th of May, Gen. Atkinson reached
Dixon's ferry with his regulars and a supply of
provisions ; and on the 19th, with 2,400 men,
advanced up Rock river. On the 27th and 28th
of the month, the volunteers were disbanded
by the governor, leaving the defense of the
frontiers in the hands «f the regular troops and
a few citizens who had volunteered temporarily.
Meanwhile the savages were waging war in
earnest against the exp'^sed settlements. Their
war parties were scattered from Chicago to
Galena; from the Rock river to the lead mines.
It was a warfare in regular Indian style ; there
was success first on one side, then on the other;
until on the 24th of June, Black Hawk made an
unsuccessful attack on Apple River Fort, near
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
asY
the ])resent village of Elizabeth, 111. Mean-
while the volunteers called out by the governor
of Illinois were assembling and ordered to ren-
dezvous at Dixon's ferry, where they were mus-
tered into the service of the United States and
formed into three brigades. The contest now
began to assume somewhat the appearance of
regular war. But, before we ])roeeed to nar-
rate the aggressive movements of the Ameri-
cans up the Rock river valley in pursuit of
Black Hawk and his band, it is proper to more
particularly describe the incident which oc-
curred in various localities where the savages
carried on their depredations previously.
In the night of the I7th of June a volunteer
company encamped near Burr Oak Grove,
thirty-five miles east of Galena, was fired on by
the enemy. The next morning they started in
pursuit of the savages, and succeeded in killing
all of them — four in number — with the loss on
their part of only one man. However, later in
the day they were attacked Vjy the Indians in
considerable force, losing two killed and one
wounded ; but they beat off the assailants and
killed their leader.
BATTLE OF PECATONICA.
On the 14th of June a party of men were
attacked in a cornfield near the mouth of Spof-
ford's creek, and five killed. Two days after
Col. Henry Dodge, with twenty-eight men,
struck the trail of the savages, overtaking them
on the bank of the Pecatonica in what is now
Lafayette Co., Wis. The savages numbered
seventeen, and all were killed. Dodge's loss
was three killed. This was, all things consid-
ered, the most spirited and effective fighting
done during "the war." Capt. James W. Ste-
phenson, at the head of the Galena volunteers,
being on the lookout for Indians near the head
of Yellow creek, lost three of liis men and was
obliged to retreat. This ended what may be
cdled the irregular lighting of the campaign.
We now return to Rock river, up the valley of
which Black Hawk and his force had moved
and the Americans just commencing pursuit.
THE PURSUIT OF lil.ACK HAWK.
A bittalion of spies was the first body or-
dered forward. They reached Kellogg's grove,
and were informed on the morning of the 25th
of June that a heavy trail was to be seen of the
enemy not far away. Twenty-five men went
out to reconnoitre, and were defeated, leaving
five killed and three wounded, though the
enemy's loss is said to have been nine killed.
The enemy now retired up the river in the di-
rection of Lake Koshkonong, in Wisconsin ;
and the fighting in Illinois was ended. The
first halt made by Black Hawk was at what was
afterward known as "Black Hawk Grove," just
outside of the present city of Janesville, Rock
Co., Wis., where his forces remained some time
in camp. It must not be understood that they
were now at their former homes. This was
not the case. It was not then the country
claimed by the Sacs, but by the Rock River
Winnebagoes.
Gen. Atkinson having arrived at the mouth
of the Pecatonica, in pursuit of the savages,
and hearing that the Sac chief was further up
Rock river, determined to follow him with the
intention of deciding the campaign by a general
battle if possible. Black Hawk, judging of his
intentions from the report of his spies, broke
up his camp and retreated still further up the
river, to the foot of Lake Koshkonong, where
on the west side of the river, in what is now
the town of Milton, he again formed a camp.
Here he remained some time, when he again
moved, this time to an island in tlie lake, still
known as Black Hawk's island. It is in the
southeast corner of the town of Sumner, in Jef-
ferson Co., Wis. Black Hawk afterward made
his way still further up the valley of Rock
river.
But now let us return to the army under
Gen. Atkinson, in its march from the mouth of
the Pecatonica to Lake Koshkonong, where he
found the Sac chief had eluded him. The re-
228
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
cital is best given in the words of one who was
in the army at the time and marched under At-
kinson:
"The .30th of Juno, 1832, we passed through
the Turtle village [now the city of Beloit, Rock
Co., Wis.] which is a considerable Winnebago
town, but it was deserted. We marched on
about a mile and encamped on the open prairie
near enough to Rock river to get water from it.
We here saw very fresh signs of the Sac In-
dians, where they had apparently been fishing
on that day. Gen. Atkinson believed we were
close to them and apprehended an attack that
night. The sentinels tired several times, and
we were as often paraded and prepared to receive
the enemy, but they never came, though from
the accounts given by the sentinels to the officers
of the day, there was no doubt that Indians had
been prowling about the camp.
"July 1. — We had not marched but two or
three miles before an Indian was seen across
Rock river at some distance off, on a very high
prairie, which, no doubt, was a spy, and likely
was one that had been prowling about our en-
campment the night before. We proceeded a
few miles further, and came to the place where
the Indians, who had taken the two Misses Hall
prisoners, had staid for several days [near the
site of the present city of Janesville]. It was a
strong position where they could have with-
stood a very powerful force. We afterward
discovered they always encamped in such
places. We had not marched but a few miles
from this place before one of our front scouts
came back meeting the army in great baste, and
stated that they had discovered a fresh trail of
Indians, where they had just gone along in front
of us. Maj. Ewing, who was in front of the main
army some distance, immediately formed his
men in line of battle, and marched in that order
in advance of the main army, about three-
quarters of a mile. We-had a very thick wood
to march through, where the under-growlh
stood very high and thick; the signs looked
very fresh and we expected every step to be
fired upon from the thickets. We marched in
this order about two miles, not stopping for
the unevenness of the ground or anything else,
but keeping in line of battle all the time, until
we found the Indians had scattered; then we
resumed our common line of march, which was
in three divisions. Soon after we had formed
into three divisions, the friendly Indians that
were with us raised an alarm, by seven or eight
of them shooting at a deer, some little in ad-
vance of the army. The whole army here
formed for action; but it was soon ascer-
tained that these children of the forest had been
at what their whole race seems born for, shoot-
ing at the beasts of tiie woods.
"We here encamped by a small lake [Storr's]
this night, and had to drink the water, which
was very bad, but it was all that could be found.
Here a very bad accident happened. One of
the sentinels, mistaking another that was on
post, with a blanket wrapped around him, for
an Indian, shot him just below the groin, in
the thick of the thigh. At first the wound was
thought mortal. I understood before I left the
army that the man was nearly well. Here Gen.
Atkinson had, on this night, breastworks thrown
up, which was easily done, as we were encamped
in thick, heavy timber. This was a precaution
which went to show that he set a great deal by
the lives of his men, and by no means was any
mark of cowardice; for generalship consists
more in good management than anything else.
"July 2 — We started this morning at the
usual time, but went only a few miles before
Maj. Ewing, who was still in front with his
battalion (of scouts), espied a very fresh trail,
making off at about a left angle. He dispatched
ten men from the battalion, in company with
Capt. George Walker and a few Indians, to pur-
sue it and see, if possible, where it went to. He
moved on in front of his battalion a short dis-
tance further, when he capie to the main Sac
trail of Black Hawk's whole army, which ap-
peared to be about two days old.
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
229
"Capt. Early, who commanded a volunteer
independent company, and had got in advance
this morning, called a halt; so did Maj. Ewing
with his battalion. Then Maj. Ewing sent hack
one of his staff officers for the main army to call
a hall for a few minutes. He, with Maj. Ander-
son, of the infantry, Capt. Early and Jonathan
H. Pugh, went a little in advance, when Maj.
Anderson, with a telescope, took a view across
the lake, as we had now got to Lake Kosliko-
nong. [The army entered what is now Jeffer-
son county, very nearly where, in going north,
its south line is crossed by the Chicago <fc North-
western Railway. The trail, after leaving the
southeast quarter of section 35, in township 5
north, of range 13 east, ran nearly due north to
the southeast corner of section 26, in the same
township and range, where the army reached
the lake in what is now the town of Koshko-
nong]. Tliey then discovered three Indians ap-
parently in their canoes.
'Maj. Ewing went himself and informed
Gen. Atkinson what discovery was made, and
requested Gen. Atkinson to let him take his
battalion around through a narrow defile that
was between two of those lakes, where we sup-
posed the Indians were. I>y this time our scouts,
who had taken the trail that led off on our left,
returned, bringing with them five white men's
st-alpa. They followed the Indian trail until it
took them to a large Indian encampment that
they had left a few days before. They reached
it; tiie scalps were sticking against some of the
wigwams; some of them were identified; but I
do not recollect the names of any, except one,
which was said to be an old gentleman by the
name of Hall.
"Maj. Ewing then marched his battalion
about a mile, where the pass on the side of the
lake appeared so narrow that he dismounted his
men and had the horses all tied, and a few men
left to guard them. The rest of us marched on
foot about one mile through a narrow defile on
the (oait) bank of the Koshkonong lake. This
was considered a dangerous procedure, but Maj.
Ewing, who was in front with Maj. Anderson,
would have been first in danger. He now found
that we were getting too far in advance of our
horses; so Maj. Ewing seftt a ))art of the men
back for them. ^Vhen we mounted our horses,
we were joined by Capt. Early and bis inde-
pendent corps. We then marched some distance
around the (Koshkonong) lake and went in be-
tween two of them, in ajiarrow defile until we
found another deserted encampment. We now
saw clearly ihat the Indians were gone from the
Koshkonong lake; so, the next thing to be done
was to find in which direction they had steered
their course.
"Gen. Atkinson having been re-enforced by
Gen. Alexander, took up his line of march, ar-
riving at the burnt village on the Gth of July.
That evening. Gen. Posey's brigade, in compa-
ny with Col. Dodge's squadron, joined Atkin-
son. Col. John Ewing and his regiment came
within a mile and a half of the main army and
encamped. On the 10th, Gen. Atkinson sent
Col. Ewing with his regiment down Rock river
to Dixon's; Gen. Posey, with the rest of liis
brigade, was diapatched to Fort Hamilton;
while Col. Henry and his brigade, Gen. Alex-
ander's brigade and Col. Dodge's squadron
were sent to Fort Winnebago, now Portage,
Columbia Co., Wis., for provisions. Atkinson
dropped down a short distance from the burnt
village and built a stockade fort, which he called
Fort Koshkonong. It was located on the
south side of Rock river in the eastern outskirts
of the present village of Fort Atkinson, Jeffer-
son Co., AVis. Alexander returned from Fort
WiTinebago by the direct route, while Dodge
and Henry took a more easterly one, striking
Rock river at a point where there was a small
Winnebago village, now Hustisfcrd, Dodge
county,which point was reached July 18. Infor-
mation was here obtained that Black Hawk was
at Cranberry lake, farther up the river. This
was believed to be reliable, and an express was
started down the stream at once, to inform Gen.
Atkinson of the Sac chief's whereabouts. The
930
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
express came very unexpectedly, 'at a dis-
tance not more than eight miles from the start-
ing point, upon the trail of Black Hawk, mak-
ing his way down thg river. The express re-
turned to the army with the news, and the next
morning, July 19, the pursuit began."
BLACK HAWK PURSUED TO THE WISCONSIN.
In the march in j)ursuit of the enemy, the
Americans crossed the Crawfish near what is
now Aztalan, in Jefferson Co., Wis., and were
of course soon in what is now Dane county.
But the account of the march is best told by
one who participated in the pursuit:
"July 19, 1832.— This day we had for about
twelve miles, the worst kind of a road. To
look at it appeared impossible to march an army
through it. Thickets and swamps of the worst
kind we had to go through, but the men had
something now to stimulate them. They saw
the Sac trail fresh before them, and the pros-
pect of bringing our campaign to an end. Tliere
was no murmuring, no excuses were made, none
getting on the sick report. If we came to a
swamp that our horses were not able to carry
us through, we dismounted, turned our horses
before us and stepped in ourselves, sometimes
up to our arm-pits in mud and water. In this
way we marched with great celerity. In the
evening of this day, it commenced thundering,
lightning and raining tremendously. We
stopped not, but pushed on. The trail appeared
to be still getting fresher and the ground bet-
ter, which still encouraged us to overcome every
difficulty found in the way. It continned rain-
ing until dark, and, indeed, until after dark.
We now saw the want of ourtents, a great num-
ber of us having left this necessary article be-
hind in the morning, in order to favor our
horses.
" The rain ceased before day, and it turned
cold and chilly. In the morning we rose early,
at the well-known sound of the bugle, and pi-e-
pared in a very short time our rude breiikfast,
dried our clothes a little, and by 7 o'clock, [July
20th], were on the march at a quick pace. On
this day some of our scouts took an Indian as a
prisoner. On examination he \v:as found to be
a Winnebago. He stated that Black Hawk was
but a little distance ahead of us; and that he had
seen some of his party not more than two miles
ahead. But it was a bad piece of conduct on our
part that this Indian was not kept as a prisoner
of war, but was set at liberty and let go, no
doubt, that he might inform the Sacs of our
pursuit.
"We halted and the order of battle was formed
as we expected we would overtake them
this evening. The order was as follows:
Gen. Dodge and Maj. Ewing were to bring on
the battle. Maj. Ewing was placed in the cen-
ter with his spy battalion, Capt. Gentry and
Capt. Clark's companies on our right, and Capt.
Camp and Capt. Parkinson on our left. Our
own battalion [Maj. Ewing's] was reduced to
two companies [as Capt. Wells and his com-
pany had been left at Fort Dixon]; Capt. Lind-
say, of our own battalion, was placed on the
right and Capt. Huston's company on the left;
Col. Fry and his regiment on the right, and Col.
.fones, with his regiment, on the left, and Col.
Collins in the center. In this order we marched
in quick time, with all possible speed, in
hope ti at we would overtake the enemy on that
evening. We were close to the Four lakes (in
what is now Dane Co., Wis.) and we wished to
come up with them before they could reach
that place, as it was known to be a stronghold
for the Indians ; but the day was not long
enough to accomplish this desirable object.
"We reached the first of the Four lakes
[now known as Lake Monona, or Third lake]
about sun-down. Gen. Henry here called a halt
and consulted with Pouquet [Peter Pauquette],
our pilot, as to the country we were approaching.
Pauquette, who was well acquainted with this
country, told him he could not get through af-
ter night ; that we had to niarcli close to the
margin of the lake for some distance, as the
underwood stood so thick one man could not
see another ten steps. Gen. Henry concluded
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
231
to encamp here until the break of day. Gen.
Dodge sent Capt. Dixon on ahead with a few
men to see if they could make any discovery of
the enemy, who returned in a very short time
and stated that they had seen the enemy's rear
guard about one mile and a half distant. Gen
Henry gave strict orders for every man to tie up
his horrie, so as to be ready to start as soon as
it was d.aylight. The order was strictly obeyed;
and after we took our frugal supper all re-
tired to rest except those who had to mount
guard, for we had marched a great way that
day, and many were still wet by the rain that
fell the preceding night ; but being very much
fatigued, we were all soon lost in sleep, except
those on guard.
".Tuly 21, at the break of day, the bugle
sounded, and all were soon up and in a few
miiuites had breakfast ready, and, after taking
a little food, we mounted our horses and .again
commenced the pursuit. We soon fomnd that
the pilot liad told us no lie, for we found the
country that the enemy was leading us into to
be worse, if possible, than what he told us.
We could turn neither to the rigiit nor left, but
were compelled to follow the trail the Indians
had made, and that, too, for a great distance at
the edge of the water of the lake. VVe had not
marched more than five miles before Dr. Pliil-
leo came back, meeting us, with the scalp of an
Indian. . He had been on ahead with the front
sconts, and came on this Indian, who had been
left as a rear guard to watch our movements.
There were several shots fired at him about the
same time, ami I suppose all hit him, from the
number of bullet holes that were in him ; but
Dr. Philleo had scalped him, so he was called
Philli'o's Indian, which reminds me of the
liunlers : 'lie who draws the first blood is en-
titled to the skin, and the remainder to the car-
cass, if there are several in the chase,' which
was the case at this time."
Leaving our journalist for a moment, we will
describe tiie jiarticulars of the march from the
time the Catfish creek, or rather the Yahara, as
it is legally called, was reached until the army
left the Fourth lake, the most northerly of the
Four lakes, properly called Lake Mendota. In
the timber skirting the Yahara, the Americans
overtook the rear guard of the flying foe, where
an Indian was wounded, who crept away and
hid himself in the thick willows, where he died.
A scouting party of fourteen men was sent for-
ward and preceded the main body about two
miles. When they arrived at the point now
the site of Madison, the capital of Wisconsin,
an Indian was seen coming up from the water's
edge, who seated himself upon the bank, appar-
ently indifferent to his fate. In a moment after
his body was pierced with bullets, one of which
passed in at the temple and out of the back
part of his head. On examination it was found
that he was sitting upon a newly made grave,
probably that of his wife, who had perhaps died
of fatigue, hunger and exhaustion, and her dis-
consolate companion had resolved to await the
advancing foe and die there also. The trail
was followed around the southern end of Lake
Jlendota (or Fourth lake), passing a little north
of what is now the Capital Park, and along the
lake r.cross the University grounds. A few
miles brought them to what appeared an ad-
mirable position for a battle field with natural
defenses and places of ambush. It had been
chosen by the enemy and here they' had lain
apparently the previous night. This spot was
afterward laid out as the city of Four Lakes.
It is about three-fourths of a mile north of the
present village of Pheasant Branch, in Dane
county. We now return to the journal, from
wiiich we broke off to relate these particulars.
"But I am not done with Dr. Philleo yet. I
will show you that he is a good soldier, and
something of an Indian fighter. The signs now
began to get very fresh, and we mended our
pace very much. We had not proceeded more
than ten or fifteen miles further before our
fighting doctor ran afoul of two more Indians;
he showed his bravery by assisting to kill them.
232
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
I suppose he killed one and Sample Journey
the other, so there was a scalp for each.
But one of those miserable wretches sold his
life as dear as possible. He, in the act of fall-
ing, after he was shot, fired and shot three balls
into a gentleman who himself was in tlie act of
shooting at him. The balls were all small; one
went through his thigh, one through his leg,
and the other through his foot. I am sorry I
liave forgotten tlie gentleman's name; he be-
longed to Gen. Dodge's squadron.
"We now doubled our speed, all were anx-
ious to press forward, and a< our horses were
nearly worn out, we carried nothing only what
was actually necessary for us to eat; camp ket-
tles and many such articles were thrown away.
The trail was now literally, in many places,
strewn with Indian trinkets, such as mats, ket-
tles, etc., which plainly told us that they knew
we were in pursuit. We, too, saw from the
face of the country that we were drawing close
to the Wisconsin river, and our object was to
overtake them before they reached it; so now
we went as fast as our horses were able to carry
us. But this was too severe for our poor horses;
they began to give out. But even this did not
stop a man. Wheflever a horse gave out, the
rider would dismount, throw off his saddle and
bridle and jiursue on foot, in a run, without a
muimur. I think the number of horses left
this day was about forty. The rear guard of
the enemy began by this time [about 3 o'clock
p. SI.] to make feint stands; and as the timber
stood thick, we did not know but what the
whole army of Black Hawk was forming for
action; in consequence of which we got down
and formed as often as twice, before we found
out that their object was to keep us back until
tliey could gain some strong position to fight
from. Our front scouts now determined not to
be deceived any more: but the next they came
to, they Slopped not for their feigned maneu-
ver, but pursued them to the main body of the
enemy. They returned to us in great haste and
informed Gen. Henry that the Indians were
forming for action.
BATTLE OF WISCONSIN HEIGHTS.
"We all dismounted in an instant. The line
of battle was then formed in the same order
that it had been laid off the preceding day,
Gen. Dodge's corps and Maj. Ewing's spy bat-
talion still in front. The horses were left and
every fourth man detailed to hold them; which
gave seven horses to each man to hold. We had
scarcely time to form on foot before the Indians
raised the war-whoop, screaming and yelling fu-
riously, and rushed forward meeting us with a
heavy charge. Gen. Dodge and Maj. Henry met
them also with a heavy charge, which produced
a halt on the part of the enemy. Our men tiien
opened a tremendous volley of musketry upon
them, and accompanied it with the most terrific
yells that ever came from the head of mortals,
except from the savages themselves. They
could not stand this. They now tried their
well known practice of flanking; but here they
were headed again by the brave Col. Jones and
his regiment, who were on our left, where he
met them in the most fearless manner, and
opened a heavy fire upon them. Col. Fry was
placed on the extreme right. They tried his
Hue, but were soon repulsed. Their strong
position was on the left, or near the center,
where Cols. Jones, Dodge and Ewing kept up
a constant fire upon them for something like half
an hour.
"The enemy here had a strong position. They
had taken shelter in some ver}' high grass, wliere
they cou'd lie down and load and bo entirely
out of sight. After fighting them in this posi-
tion for at least thirty minutes, during which
time Col. Jones had his horse shot from under
him, and one of his me:i killed and several
wounded, Cols. Dodge, Ewing and Jones all
requested Gen. Henry to let them charge iijion
them at the point of the bayonet, which Gen.
Henry readily assented to, and gave the order
"Charge!" which was obeyed by Ijoth men and
officers in a most fearless manner. All were in-
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
233
tent upon the charge. We had to charge up
a rising piece of ground. When we got on the
top, we then fired perfectly abreast. They could
not stand tiiis They had to quit their liiding
place and maile good their retreat. When they
commenced retreating we killed a great number.
"Their commander, who, it was said, was
Napope, was on a white pony on the top of a
mountain in the rear of his Indians; he certainly
had one of the best voices for command I ever
heard. He kept up a constant yell, until his
men began to retreat, when he was heard no
more. Col. Collins was kept, during the en-
gagement, in the rear, as a reserve, and to keep
the enemy from flanking and coming in upon
us in the rear, which was a very good arrange-
ment of Gen. Henry. It was now nearly
sun-down, and still raining, as it had been all
the evening, but so slow that we made shift
to keep our guns dry. The enemy retreated
toward the river with considerable speed.
The ground they were retreating to, appeared to
be low and swampy, and on the bank of the river
there appeared to be a heavy body of timber,
which the enemy could reach before we could
bring them to another stand. So Gen. Henry
concluded not to pursue them any further that
night, but remain on the battle ground until
next morning, and then he would not be in dan-
ger of losing so many of his men, knowing
that in the dark, he would have to lose a num-
ber; for the Indians would have the timber to
fight from while we would have to stand in liie
open prairie. [The battle ground was on the
east side of the northeast quarter of section 24,
in what is now the town of Mazomanie, Dane
Co., Wis.]
"Next morning, July 22, the troops were pa-
raded and put in battle order on foot, except
(/ol. Fry's regiment, and took up the line of
march to tlie river, leaving Col. Collins, regi-
ment to guard the horses and baggage, and take
care of the wounded. We marched dowti to
the river, which was about one mile .nid m half
off; but, before we reached the banks, wo liad a
very bad swamp to go through, fifty or sixty
yards on this side the timber, which stood very
higli on the bank of the river. We now saw
that Gen. Henry had acted very prudently. If
he had attemi)ted to follow them the evening
l)efi)re, he would have lost a great many of his
men. When we got to the bank, we found they
had made their retreat across the river during
the night, leaving a great many articles of
trumpery behind. We also saw a good deal of
blood, where their wounded had bled. We now
returned to the camp,seeiug there was no chance
to follow them this day across th e river.
"We, in this battle (known in histor}' as the
Battle of Wisconsin Heights), were very fortu-
nate indeed. We had only one man killed and
eight wounded; and we have learned since the
battle that we killed sixty-eight of the enemy
(but Ulack Hawk declared afterward that he
lost only six), and wounded a considerable num-
ber, twenty-five of whom they report died soon
after the battle. We were now nearly out of
provisions, and to take up the line of march
against them, in the condition our horses were
in, told us plainly that we would suffer for
something to eat before we could get it. We
buried the brave young man, who was killed,
with the honors of war. It was stated that he
had just shot down an Indian when he received
the mortal wound himself. His name was John
Short, and he belonged to Capt. Briggs' com-
pany from Randolph Co., III. He had a brother
and a brother-in-law in the same company, who
witnessed his consignment to the mother earth.
The wounded were all well examined and none
pronounced mortal. We continued tliis day on
the battle ground and prepared litters for the
wounded to be carried on. We spent this day
in a more cheerful manner than we had done
any other day since we had been on the cam-
paign. We felt a little satisfaction for our toils,
and thought we had, no doubt, destroyed a
number of the very same monsters that had so
lately been imbruing their hands with the blood
of our fair sex, the hel|)less mother and un-
234
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
ofifending infant. We dried our clothes, which
then had been wet for several days. This day
we spent in social chat between men and
officers. There were no complaints made ; all
had fought bravely; each man praised his officers,
and all praised our general. Late in the even-
ing, some of our men, who had been out to see
if there were any signs of the enemy remaining
near us, returned and stated that they saw
smoke across the river."
From this time until the Wisconsin river was
crossed there were not many incidents of im-
portance worthy of record; so we leave the
journal, from which we have been copying, to
relate only such events as will preserve the
chain of our narrative until that time. On the
2od of July the army was put in motion, not in
pursuit of Black Hawk, but to go to the Blue
Mounds for supplies of provisions. And just
here we must go back in our relation to the
time when the army left the Rock river, July
19. On this day,- the same express that had
discovered the trail of Black Hawk the day pre-
vious, again started for Gen. Atkinson's camp,
or Fort Koshkonong, where the general was
with his infantry. That officer, as soon as he
was informed that Black Hawk's trail was dis-
covered, directed the same express to return at
once to Gen. Henry with orders to the latter to
pursue on the trail of the Sac chief until he
could overtake him, and to defeat or capture
him. However, before these orders had reach-
ed Gen. Henry, they had been anticipated.
Black Hawk had been pursued, overtaken and
defeated, but not captured. Gen. Atkinson
also notified Gen. Henry that he would start
himself with the infantry and Gen. Alexander's
brigade ; that the rest of the volunteers wlio
were with him would be left to guard the fort ;
and that he would go by way of Blue Mounds.
He also directed Gen. Henry, if he got out of
provisions, to go to that place for a supply.
This explains why the army, after the battle of
Wisconsin Heights, marched for the Blue
Mounds. Not only Geu. Henry's command,
but also those of Gen. Atkinson, reached the
Blue Mounds without any mishap ; so, also, a
part of Gen. Posey's brigade from Fort Hamil-
ton, who passed on to Helena, in what is now
Iowa Co., Wis., where the Wisconsin river was
to be crossed by the whole army. By the 26th
of June all the corainands had reached that
place and preparations were made to cross the
stream on rafts made for that purpose.
BLACK HAWK PURSUED TO THE MISSISSIPPI.
On the 2lth and 28tli of July, Gen. Atkinson
with his select body of troops, consisting of the
regulars under Col. Taylor, 400 in number, part
of Henry's, Posey's and Alexander's brigades,
and Dodge's battalion of mounted volunteers,
amounting in all to 1,300 men, crossed the
Wisconsin river and immediately fell u])on the
trail of the enemy. They were in what is now
Sauk Co., Wis. Pursuing this trail first down
the river, then to the northward, they finally
struck off in a west-northwest direction through
what is now Richland county, until the Kicka-
poo river was reached near the present Soldier's
Grove, in what is now Crawford county.
Before entering upon the particulars of the
march through Vernon county, as given in the
journal from which extracts have already been
so liberally made, it will be well to glance at
the route taken from the Kickapoo to the Mis-
sissippi. After the Kickapoo was crossed, Black
Hawk, followed closely by Gen. Atkinson,
was soon in what is now Vernon county, pass-
ing, in a direction north of west, near the farm
at present owned by Anson G. Tainter, in the
town of Franklin; thence across West Prairie
to the brakes or ravines leading into the head
of Battle creek; thence down that creek through
sections 2 and 3, in township 11, range "7, in the
town of Wheatland, to the point where he was
overtaken and compelled to fight the battle
known in history as the battle of Bad Ax.
Keeping this general description of the flight
of the savages through Vernon county and the
pursuit of them by the Americans in view, the
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
235
following narrative will prove of interest to tlie
reader:
"About 12 o'clock this day (August 1, 183l'),
we came to a small river called the Kickapoo.
We here found that the country was about to
change. A short distance before we got to
this stream, we came to a beautiful body of
pine timber, which was tall and large. As
soon as we crossed this stream, we found the
mountains were covered with prairie grass.
We here found the Indian trail was getting
fresher. They had encamped at this creek.
We had now been three days in those moun-
tains and our horses had lived on weeds, except
those that became debilitated and were left be-
hind; for a gre;U number had become so, and
were left to stai've in this dreary waste. We
here for the first lime in three days had an op-
portunity of lu ruing our horses out to graze.
Accordingly we left them to^graze for about an
hour, which they made good use of and during
which we took a cold lunch. About 1 o'clock
we started, at a faster gait than usual. We
found from the face of the country tliatwew-ere
not a great way from the Mississippi. 'J'he
country was still hilly, but hills of a small size,
and almost barren; so we could get along with
more speed. It gave the men new spirits. We
now saw that our horses would not have to
starve, as we had begun to think it probable
that tliey would.
"On this evening, we came across the grave
of an Indian chief, who was buried in the
grandest style of Imlian burials; painted and
otherwise decorated as well as those wretched
beings were able to do. He was placed on the
ground, with his head resting again.st the root
of a tree; logs were placed around him and
covered over with bark; and on the top of
wiiich, green bushes were laid; so intended
that we might j)ass bj' without iliscovoring the
gr.ive. He was exiniiriod a iid found to have
been shot. It was now late in the evening, and
we hid proceeded but a 8!u)rt distance from here,
before some of our front spies came across an
Indian that had been left behind from some
cause or other. The spies interrogated him
about Black Hawk and his band. He stated
that they would get to the river that day and
wou'd cross over on the next morning. The
old sinner then plead for quarters; but that
being no time to be plagued with the charge of
prisoners, they had to leave the unhappy-
wretch behind, which appeared to be a hard
case. But, no doubt, he had been at the mas-
sacre of a number of our own citizens, and
deserved to die for the crimes which he had
perpetrated in taking the lives of harmless and
unoffending women and children.
"We this day made a tolerable push, having
marched until 8 o'clock at night before we
stopped. We then halted and formed our en-
campment. But it was for a short time only.
Ocn. Atkinson gave orders for all to confine
iheir horses and be ready to march by 2 o'clock
in pursuit of the enemy. We were now all
tired and hungry and something to eat was
indispensibly necessary. We had a long way
to go after water, and the worst kind of a preci-
pice to go down and up to procure it. All
was now a bustle for awhile, to prepare some-
thing to sustain nature, and to do it in time to
ofet a little rest before we would have to marcli.
About 9 o'clock the noise began to die away,
so that by 10 o'clock all were lost in sleep but
the sentinel, who was at his post.
"At the appointed hour [2 o'clock in the
morning of August 2] the bugle sounded; all
were soon up and made preparations for a march
at quickstep, moving on to comjilcte the woik
of death upon those unfortunate children of tlie
forest. Gen. Atkinson tiiis morning had tlie
army laid off and arranged in the following
manner: Gen. Dodge, with Ms squadron, was
placed in front, the infantry next, the second
brigade next, under the command of Gen. Alex-
ander; the first brigade next, under the com-
mand of Gen. Posey; the thinl brigade next,
under command of Gen. Ilenrv.
236
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
"In this order the march had commenced.
We had not proceeded more tlian four or five
miles before there was a herald sent back, in-
forming us that the front spies had come in
sight of the enemy's rear guard [in reality their
outpost]. The intelligence was soon conveyed
to Gen. Atkinson, and then to all the command-
ers of the different brigades. The celerity of
the march was then doubled and it was but a
short time before the firing of the front spies
commenced, about half a mile in front of the
main army. The Indians retreated towards the
Mississippi, but kept up a retreating fire upon
our front spies for some time, until Gen. Dodge,
who commanded, began to kill them very fast.
The Indians then retreated more rapidly and
sought refuge in their main army, which was
lying on the bank of the Mississippi [which river
they had, in fact, reached the day before]."
BATTLE OF BAD AX.
While Black Hawk and his band and their
pursuers were traversing the rugged country
across what is now Richland county into Ver-
non, intelligence was conveyed to Prairie du
Chien, by express, of the battle of Wisconsin
Heights and of the retreat of the enemy across
thp Wisconsin river. The commander of the
American forces at Prairie du Chien at once
came to the conclusion that the savages would
soon reach the Mississippi, and by crossing that
stream escape the army in pursuit of them; so
he engaged a steamboat, placed some regulars
upon it and a six-pounder, with orders to cruise
up and 'down the Mississippi to cut off the
retreat of the Sac chief and his people. The
steamer proving to be a slow one was with-
drawn and a faster one armed in its place — the
Warrior.
On the 1st of August, the Warrior discovered
the Indians on the bank of the Mississippi
where they had just arrived, not far below the
mouth of the Bad Ax, making preparations to
cross to the west side. A flag raised by Black
Hawk was not respected by the Warrior, but a
fire was opened from the boat upon the Indians
with not only the small arms of the regulars
but the six-pounder. The fire was returned by
Black Hawk's party. The contest was kept up
until the steamboat was compelled to drop
down the river to Prairie du Chien for fuel.
The loss of the enemy was twenty-three killed.
On board the War7-ior none were killed and
but one wounded. But the presence of the
steamboat and the firing of course wholly in-
terrupted the preparations of the savages to
cross the river, while Atkinson and his army
were marching rapidly ujjon their rear.
It was the next morning, as we have already
seen, that the Americans under Gen. Atkinson
came in sight of what was supposed by them to
be the rear guard of the Indians, but which
was, in reality, one of their outposts. It ap-
pears that the savages raised a white flag for
the purpose of surrendering, which was either
not seen or was not regarded, and the firing on
both sides soon became spirited, the Indians re-
tiring slowly to their main force on the bottom
of the river, where the latter were busily em-
ployed transporting their women and children
and the aged and infirm across the Mississippi
[the Warrior not having returned to again cut
off their retreat].
Let us now return to the American army in
keen pursuit of the fugitives. It will be remem-
bered that Gen. Henry had early in the morning
been put in the rear, btit he did not remain
there long. Maj. Ewing, who commanded the
spy battalion,sent his adjutant back to the gen-
eral informing him that he was on the main
trail; he at the same time formed his men in
order of battle and awaited the arrival of the
brigade which marched up in quick time.
When they came up, Gen. Henry had his men
formed as soon as possible for action; he placed
Col. Jones and Maj. Ewing in front. Gen. At-
kinson called for a regiment from Gen. Henry's
brigade to cover his rear. Col. Collins formed
on the right of Col. Jones and Maj. Ewing,
when all were dismounted and marched on foot
in the main trail, down the bluff into the bot-
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
237
torn. Soon the fire was opened on the main
force of the enemy, at which time Gen.' Henry
sent back an officer to bring up Col. Fry with
his regiment. Col; Collins was by this time in
the heat of the action with his regiment. Capt.
Gentry, from Gen. Dodge's corps, was by this
time also up, and opened a heavy fire. He fell
into the lines of Col. Jones and Maj. Ewing.
Capts. Gruer and Richardson, from Gen. Alex-
ander's brigade, with their companies and a few
scattering gentlemen from Gen. Dodge's corps,
were also up; who all joined Gen. Henry and
fought bravely. Col. Fry obeyed the call of his
general and was soon where the conflict raged
with his regiment. By this time the savages
were falling rapidly.
It was about half an hour after the battle
commenced before Col. Zaehary Taylor with
his infantry and (4en. Dodge with his scpiadron
got 071 the ground and joined in the battle.
They had been thrown on the extreme right, by
following the enemy's rear guard as was su| -
posed, but which was, as already explained,
their retreating out])ost. Gens. Posey aiid
Alexander had been stationed up the river on
the extreme right, in order to prevent the In-
dians from making their escape in that direc-
tion, so they did not participate in the slaughter
of the savages. The victory, of course, with
such overpo'vering numbers, was complete; but
those of the Indians who escaped death from
the Americans had most of them made good
their retreat to one of the islands in the river,
when, at an ii]i])orlun<' moment for the attack-
ing parties the ICi'/n-/'/;' ajipeared in the river
and opened fire upon the fugitives with her
cannon, at the same time sending her two boats
to the shore to transport troops to the island
also, to attack the now distressed savages. Col.
Taylor sent a detachment in the boats and the
Indians were soon all killed on the island but
one. There were of Black Hawk's entire force,
besides a few who had succeeded in reaching
the west side of the Missis-ipj^i, only himself
and ten warriors with thirty-live women and
children who made their escape. About 150
were killed. The loss of the Americans was
twenty-seven killed and wounded. Such was
the liattle of Bad Ax. Black Hawk was soon
brought in a prisoner by the Winnebagoes, and
the war was ended.
official report of the battle.
Headquarters, 1st Army Corps,
Northwestern Army, Prairie du Chien,
Augusts, 1832.
"Sir: — I have the honor to report to you that
I crossed the Wisconsin on the 27th and 2^th
ult., with a select body of troops, consisting of
regulars under Col. (Zaehary) Taylor, 400 in
number; part of Henry Posey's and Alexan-
der's brigades; and Dodge's battalion of
mounted volunteers; amounting in all to 1,.300
men; and immediately fell upon the trail of the
enemy aTid pursued it by forced marches
through a mountainous and difficult country,
till the morning of the 2d instant, when he
came up with his main body on the left bank of
the .Mississipjii, nearly opposite the mouth of
the luwa, which we attacked, defeated and dis-
persed with a loss on his part of about 150 men
killed and thirty-nine «omen and children piis-
oners. The precise number of the killed could
not be ascertained, as the greater portion were
slain after being forced into the river. Our
loss in killed and wounded, which is stated be-
low, is very small in comparison with the lo.vs
of the enemy, which may be attributed to the
enemy's being forced from his positions by a
rapid charge at the commencement, and through
the engagement. The remnant of the enemy,
cut up and disheartened, crossed to theop|)osite
side of the river, and has fled into the interior,
with a view, it is supposed, of joining Keokuk
and Wappilo's bands of Sacs and Foxes.
"The horses of the volunteer troo|)s being
exhausted bj' long marches, and the regular
troops without shoes, it was not thought advisa-
ble to continue the pursuit. Indeed a stop to
the further effusion of Idood seemed to be
238
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
called for, until it might be ascertained if the
enemy would not surrender.
"It is ascertained from our prisonei's, that the
the enemy lost in the battle of the Ouisconsin
[Wisconsin Heights], sixty-eight killed, and a
very large number wounded. His whole loss
does not fall short of 300. After the battle of
the Ouisconsin, the enemy's women and chil-
dren, and some who were dismounted, attempted
to»make their escape by descending that river,
but judicious measures being taken here by
Capt. Loomis and Gen. Street, an Indian agent,
thirty-two women and children, and four men
have been captured, and some fifteen killed by
the detachment under Lieut. Ritner.
"The day after the battle on this river I fell
down with the regular troops to this place by
water, and the mounted men will join us to-day.
It is now my purpose to direct Keokuk to de-
mand the surrender of the remaining principal
men of the hostile party ; which, from the large
number of women and children we hold as
prisoners, I have every reason to believe will
be complied with. Should it not, they should
be pursued and subdued ; a step Maj. Gen.
Scott will no doubt take on his arrival.
"I cannot speak too highly of the conduct of
the regular and volunteer forces engaged in the
last battle [Bad Ax], and the fatiguing march
that preceded it.
" As soon as the reports of the ofiicers of
brigades and corps are handed in, they shall
be submitted with further remarks.
I have the honor to be, with great respect,
your obedient servant,
H. Atkinson,
B't. Brig. Gen U. S. A.
Maj. Gbn. Macomb,
Commander-in-Chief, Washington City.
UP AND DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI BEFORE THE BLACK
HAWK WAR.
In May, 1831, Joseph M. Street, Indian agent
at Prairie du Chien, left the agency in care
of sub-agent, Thomas P. Burnett. The latter
reported to Gen. William Clark, superintendent
of Indian affairs, at St. Louis, on the 18th of
that month, that "the Indian relations among
the different tribes of this quarter, have not a
very amicable appearance. , The threatenings
of the Sauks and Foxes, and occasional acts of
mischief committed by them against the whites
in the vicinity of Rock Island, have doubtless
been communicated to you before this time.
"The Sioux chief, Wabashaw, and a consid-
erable number of his tribe, are now here [at
Prairie du Chien]. A small party of them who
came across the country from Red Cedar, state
that within their country north of the line of_
the purchase of last summer, they came upon a
war road of the Sauks and Foxes. They fol-
lowed the trail leading out of the country sev-
eral days, and from the signs remaining at their
camps, they have no doubt, that three or more
of the Sioux have been murdered by the Sauks
and Foxes! Among other appearances that
confirmed them in this belief, was a painted buf-
falo robe, such as no Indians in this quarter but
the Sioux make or use, cut in pieces at one of
their camps. They pursued their trail until
they came upon their camp, a few miles north
of the old Red Cedar fort ; but finding them
double their own number, did not make an at-
tack. They say that they have made peace
and promised to keep it, and will not in any
case be the aggressors.
"Col. Morgan informed me, two days since,
that he had sent down to the Sauks and Foxes
to send up ten or twelve of their men to see
him, and have a talk with him. They were ex-
pected here on yesterday, but have not yet ar-
rived. The Sioux are waiting their arrival, and
are, I believe, ready to meet them, either as
friends or enemies. When they were informed
that the Foxes were coming, they put their arms
in order. They say that if the Sauks and Foxes
come and deport themselves peaceably, they
will not molest them, but if they see any hostile
manifestations, they will strike them. My own
opinion is that if the Sauks and Foxes have had
a war party out against the Sioux, they will not
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
239
come here upon Col. Morgan's invitation, know-
ing as they do, tliat the Sioux always visit this
place about this season in considerable num-
bers.
"A part of the Menomonees have been to see
me since Gen. Street's departure. They re-
newed their promise not to go against the Chip-
pewas for the present, but to wait a while longer
to hear from their Great Father.
"The squally appearance of Indian affairs
called for the watchful attention alike of agents
and officers of the army. But it became a ques-
tion of etiquette, which should take the lead in
the matter. Tlie military seems to have claimed
that right, while the agents claimed at least to
know what had been done in the premises, both
being then under the superintendence of the
war department, the military considered the
Indian department [as subordinate to theirs.
Hut Mr. Burnett thought otherwise, claiming
that each branch of the public service had its
appropriate duties with which the other should
not interfere, while in case of necessity one
.should assist tlie other, both acting in unison.
And as the Sauks and Foxes alluded to in his
letter to Gen. Clark, did come to the place, with
whom Col. Morgan held a council, without the
knowledge or co-operation of the agent, Mr.
Burnett claimed to be informed of the nature
and extent of the proceedings, and addressed a
note dated May 23, 1831, to Col. Morgan, as
follows:
"Sir:-I was informed yesterday that you held,
on the morning of that day, a council with a
party of Sioux and a party of Fox Indians which
you had assembled in the village of Prairie du
Chien. As the acting Indian agent at this place,
it properly concerns me to know what takes
place at this post in relation to Indian affairs.
I should therefore be glad to be informed of
the circumstances that required such council.
The objects to be effected and the results accom-
plished; also the names of the chiefs or men
of influence of either tribe, who were present.
Will you please to communicate to me as early
as may be convenient, the desired informa
tion, and likewise whether Gen. Street was ap-
prised previous to his departure, of the contem-
plated meeting of those Indians."
This brought from Col. Morgan the following
tart reply, and raised the question of preroga-
tive:
"Sir — I acknowledge in you no right to call
on me to render an account of my proceedings
to you, though if you will do me the favor to
call at my quarters on my return from St. Peter's,
for which place I am just about to set
out. I will explain to you the object of the
council and tell you what passed. You were
apprised yourself of the Foxes having been in-
vited and you knew they had arrived. Why
stay four or live miles off? I stated to the In-
dians that you should have been to the council
if you had been there."
Mr. Burnett informed Gen. Clark of the
transaction of Col. Morgan, May 28, 1831: "In
my letter of the 18th inst., I informed you that
Col. Morgan had sent for the Sauks and Foxes
to visit this post. On the 21st inst., about
fifteen men of the Foxes, of Dubuque mines,
arrived at the village, and on the next day Col.
Morgan held a council with them and the Sioux,
who were here. I presume that whatever took
place at the council, or was affected by the
meeting of the Indians, of any importance, will
be communicated to you through the proper
channel, by Col. Morgan who acted alone in the
measure.
"The Sioux had been waiting the arrival of
the Foxes for several days. The Foxes landed
at the village on Saturday evening, not later I
think than 4 o'clock. The council was opened
the next morning, as I am informed, at 10
o'clock; yet no intimation of either time or
place of meeting, or that my presence was at all
desired, was given, although there was ample
time to do so. Throughout the transaction,
there has been no consultation had, or co-opera-
tion had with the agency. The only communi-
cation upon the subject previous to the council
240
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
and clei)avtiire of thy luJians, was the simple
fact that he had sent for the F. xes, of which I
apprised you. I suppose that if anything oc-
curred of sufficient importance to found a re-
port upon, he will communicate the facts, and
in tliat case, it must appear that the measure
was undertaken and carried through without
any connection or co-operation with thisagenc}".
I have, therefore, given the above statement of
facts to show that the absence of cooperation
in this affair was not from neglect of duty or
inattention on the part of this agency."
'J'he information that I have collected on
the subject, is this: "Some fifteen Foxes from
Dubuque mines, all young men except one or
two, came up and had a talk with the Sioux and
Col. Morgan, in which each expressed a desire
to continue the j>eace which had been concluded
between them the last year. The Foxes denied
any knowledge of a war party having gone
against the Sioux. They said they wished to
be at peace, and would not do any act of hos-
tility, but they could not answer for those be
low — they spoke for themselves only. They
smoked and danced together and parted in ap-
parent friendship and harmony.
"The extent of the frontier and the number
of tribes within the agency kept up an almost
incessant excitement as to their affairs, and to
keep the government advised of all their move-
ments, required constant vigilance and the writ-
ing of numerous letters. Under date of Jiiik*
13, 1831, Mr. Burnett writes to Gen. Clark: 'I
have received since the last mail from this
place information which 1 consider entitled to
credit, that a war party of Sioux is now heing
organized among Washaba's band to go against
the Chippewas, by a warrior of some note in
that band. I have also understood that there
are a few Menomonees, relatives of those who
were killed by the Chippewas in the fall and
winter past, now with the band of Sioux. Hut
I have not been able to learn whether they in-
tend joining the Sioux in their expedition or
not, but think it probable that some of them
will do so.'
"Under date of .Tune 29th he wrote: 'I am
informed by Maj. Langham, who arrived here
from below a few days since, that the VVinne-
bagoes of the Prophet's village on Rock river,
have united with the Sauks and Foxes. Tiie
Winnebagoes of the Wfsconsin and Upper Mis-
sissippi are still peaceable. They are most
likely waiting to see the first results of the
movements below, and intend to act afterwards
according to circumstances.
"Until within two or three weeks past, very
few of those Indians have visited this place for
a length of time, fewer, I am told, than usual
at this season of the year. Lately a great many
of them have been here, the most pf whom
came down the Wisconsin and have gone up
the Mississippi. A great portion of them are
old men, women and children. They continue
to pass by daily. Many rumors are in circula-
tion as to their present disposition and inten-
tion; very few of which are, perhaps, entitled
to implicit belief. 'I hey have served, however,
to give considerable alarm to many of the in-
habitants of the prairie, and many of them be-
gin to think themselves in ilanger. 1 have
spare<l no pains to ascertain the disposition of
the ^N'innebagoes here and have found no evi-
dence of a disposition to hostilities on their
part, unless their sending so many of their old
men, women and children up the river and pur-
chasing powder in larger quantities than usual
for ordinary hunting, should indicate something
of the kind.
"I also learned a few days since that the one-
eyed Decori had left his village at Prairie La
Crosse and gone down to the Sauks and Foxes.
This was accidentally communicated to my in-
formant by a Winnebago and is probably true.
Decori was down about two weeks since and
called to see me on his return home. His de-
portment was as usual; I saw no change. In
fact, I have not discovered any change in the
deportment or appearance of any of them that
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
241
I have seen. They all appear to be perfectly
friendly. None of the traders here think they
have any hostile intentions.
"Col. Morgan left the fort for Rock Island on
the morning of the 27th inst., with two compa-
nies from his post, and two more from Fort
Winnebago, under Maj. Twiggs. He had pre-
viously called in all fatigue parties and put his
whole force under a course of training. Much
alarm prevails in the mines. The people are
arming and preparing for their defense. I do
not consider that there is any immediate dan-
ger either here or in t'ais vicinity. Much, how-
ever, will doubtless depend on the result below.
The Sioux and Menomonees are certainly
friendly, and against the Sauks and Foxes,
would willingly unite with the whites if per-
mitted to do so. I have heard nothing since
my last of a war party of those Indians against
tile Chippewas.
"In February, 18:52, Mr. Burnett was in Ken-
tucky, when Gen. Street wrote him that 'the
Menomonees and Sioux are preparing for a re-
talitory war against the Sauks and Foxes in
the s])ring. 'I'lie Menomonees have made peace
with the Chippewas, in order to have no fears
from that quarter. The two tribes met above
the mill on the Chippewa and made their peace.
I have advised the superintendent so as to have
the earliest interference, if any is intended.
Tlie Sauks and Foxes, I learn, expect retaliation
and will be prepared to meet them. If the
government is not early in stopping them, they
will certainly go in considerable force, and a
bloody contest may be expected."
About the 1st of April Mr. Burnett received
instructions, while yet in Shelbyville, to "pro-
coed to the agency at Prairie du Chieti, by way
of St. Louis, and call on Gen. Clark for the
funds allotted to the agency for 1832, or such
portion thereof as he shall determine to forward.
The receipts will be forwarded to you at St.
Louis as soon as a conveyance by steamboat
shall occur." Mr. Burnett reached the agency
about the 1st of May. At that time the Sauks
and Foxes under Black Hawk were in hostile
movements on Rock river, with Gen. Atkinson
in pursuit. To aid in the defense of the country,
Gen. Atkinson, from Dixon's ferry. May 26,
1832, addressed Gen. Street as follows:
"Sir:— I have to request that you send me at
this place, with as little delay as possible, as
many Menomonee and Sioux Indians as can be
collected, within striking distance of Prairie du
Chien. I want to employ them in conjunction
with the troops against the Sauks and Foxes,
who are now some fifty miles above us in a
state of war against the whites. I understand
the Menomonees, to the number of 300 warriors,
who were with you a few days ago, are anxious
to take part with us. Do encourage them to do
so, and promise them rations, blankets, pay, etc.
I have written to Capt. Loomis to furnish them
some arms, if they can be spared, and ammuni-
tion. If there are none at Prairie du Chien, I
must procure some in this quarter. Col. Ham-
ilton, who has volunteered his services to lead
the Indians to this place, will hand you this let-
ter; and if the Indians can be prevailed on to
come, will perform the duty. I have to desire
that Mr. Marsh may be sent with Col. Hamilton
and the Indians, and an interpreter of the Me-
nomonee language." In accordance with this
requirement. Gen. Street gave, on May 30, to
Mr. Burnett the following instructions:
"Sir: — You will please proceed with John
Marsh, who goes express to the nearest
Sioux village, and render him such aid as may
be necessary in obtaining as many Indians as
possible, to come down with you, and proceed
under the command of Mr. Marsh to join Gen.
Atkinson. The letter of Gen. Atkinson will be
your guide in the business. Use every means
to expedite the object; and hasten your return,
as much depends upon the expedition."
The nearest Sioux village was 130 miles up the
river from the seat of the agency, which had to
be ascended in canoes, there being no steamer
then to be had. Yet in six days after receiving
242
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
llii- order, .Mr. Burnett made the following re-
port to Gen. Street:
"Sir: — In obedience to your order of the
30th ult., I set out immediately from this place,
in company with Mr. Marsh, in a canoe, with
eight hands, to visit tlie nearest village of the
Sioux Indians. From recent indications among
the Winuebagoes of the upper Mississippi of a
disposition to engage in hostilities with the
Sauks and Foxes, Mr. Marsh and myself thought
best to call at their village on the river La
Crosse, and invite so many as might be disposed
to join us on our return, and go witli the Sioux
and Menomonees to join Gen. Atkinson's army
on Rock river. We arrived at the Winnebago
village on the evening of the next day after
leaving this post, and that night liad a talk
with the chiefs and braves upon tiie subject.
Win-o-a-she-kan was opposed to the measure,
and declined having anything to do with it. He
said the Sauks had twice, this season, presented
the red wampum to the Winnebagoes at Port-
age, and that they had as often washed it white,
and handed it back to them; that he did not
like that red thing, he was afraid of it. Waudgh-
ha-ta-kan took the wampum, and said that he,
with all the young men of the viUage, would go;
that they were anxious to engage in the expe-
dition, and would be ready to accompany us on
our return.
" The next day we reached Prairie Aux Ailes
[Wabasha], and found the Sioux extensively
anxious and ready to go against the Sauks and
Foxes. They were intending to make a de-
scent upon them in a few days, if they had imt
l)een sent for. They engaged with alaciity in
their preparations, but we found it necessary to
wait till Monday morning to give them time.
We left their village on our return, at 9 o'clock
in the forenoon, accompanied by the whole ef-
fective force of the band, and at La Crosse were
joined by twenty warriors of the Winnebagoes,
the remainder of their village to follow the
next day, and reached this place to-day, at 2
o'clock p. M., with 100 warriors, eighty of whom
are Sioux, and tucni \, Winnebagoes. I tUiidc,
from the disp.jsitio?i manifested by the Winue-
bagoes, that fifty or sixty more of them will be
here before the expedition leaves the prairie,
making a force of 130 or 140. The Indians
with whom I have met appear well effected
towards the whites, are in tine spirits and seem
anxious to engage with the Sauks and Foxes.
" I made the promise authorized to the In-
dians of subsistence, pay, etc., and told them
that their families should be supplied with pro-
visions during their absence from home. The
most of the families of the warriors have accom-
panied them thus far to take a supply of pro-
visions home with them, when the expedition
shall have left this place. It is due to Mr.
Marsh to say that he has displayed great zeal
and energy in effecting the object of our visit,
and that his exertions had the effect of bring-
ing out the greatest possible force from the
bands we have called upon."
Mr. Burnett greatly desired and strongly
urged Gen. Street to allow him to accompany
these Indians and take part in the war. But
the general thought his services were needed
at and near the agency, and, therefore, declined
to comply with the request.
In the meantime the Sauks and Foxes re-
treated from the Rock river to the Wisconsin,
where they were routed, "horse, foot and
dragoons." The news of this defeat of the In-
dians soon reached Prairie duChien, and it was
thought probable that if the Sauks and Foxes
could get canoes, or even rafts, that they would
attempt to escape from their pursuers by de-
scending the Wisconsin river. To prevent this,
some volunteer troops were stationed on that
river at the ferry, now Barrett's. But the In-
dians took across the country towards Bad Ax.
AN EPISODE OF THE BLACK HAWK WAR.
As soon as it was ascertained that the hostile
Indians under lilack Hawk were weTiding their
way to the Mississippi, after the battle of Wis-
consin Heights, Joseph M. Street, Indian agent,
wrote to Thomas P. Burnett, sub-Indian agent,
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
243
with a view to adopt means to intercept the
savages, the following letter, on the 25th of
July, 1832 :
"Sir: — You will proceed up the Mississippi to
the Winnebagoes, twenty-iive or thirty miles
above this place, and inform tiiera * * * of
the crossing of the Sauks to the north side of
the Wisconsin, and that their chiefs, Carraraana
and Decori are here, and that I want all of the
Winnebagoes to come down with you immedi-
ately ; tell them it is the wish of their chiefs
also. One object of this is, to get them out of
the way with their canoes, to prevent their
crossing the Sauks over the river. Send on
word, if you can, to the u]iper villages, that the
Sauks have been defeated, and have crossed the
Wisconsin. And should the Winnebagoes hesi-
tate, tell them if they do not come, I will not
pay the annuity to any who refuse. The time
is now near and they will lose their money.
Hasten back as soon as possible."
The next day, July 26, Mr. Burnett reported:
"Sir : — In obedience to your order of yesterday,
I set out from this ])lace in a bark canoe late
last evening to visit the \V^innebagoes, supposed
to be encamped twenty-five or thirty miles
above Praii'ie du C'hicii. This morning before
day the steamlioat Enter ih-iae, with a military
command, came by my encampment and took
myself and crew on board. Before arriving at
the place where the Indians had been encamped,
we found tliat they had been gone for several
days, and had removed some distance above.
"We tlierefore continued on up a considerable
distance, j)assing several lodges at different
])oinls until we came to the princijjal camp, on
the east side of tiie river, supposed to be sixty
miles above I'rairie du t'iiien. I communicated
your message to all the Indians I saw on the
w ly, who readily promised to ol>ey your iii-
slriictions.
"At the principal cam]) I found ^Vasi)ington
Decori with a considerable part of the tribe
from the Wisconsin and Kickapoo river. I
ininicdiately informed them of your request, and
desired tliem to get ready as soon as possible
and go to the agency. They manifested entire
willingness to do so, but said some of their
party were out hunting, and would be in at
night, for wliom they wislied to wait, so that
all might come together. They promised very
positively, that they would start as soon as the
hunters shoidd arrive, and would certainly see
you by the middle of the afternoon tomorrow.
After some conversation about their starting
this evening, and their still objecting to do so
until the hunters came in, Lieut. Abercrombie
told them that he would wait until sunset for
them to get ready, and if they did not start by
that time, he would take all their cauoes and
bring them down witli tlie steamboat. About
two hours after this they concluded to start
and let the hunters come on after them; and
after seeing all the canoes move off, we started
on our return, and reached this place at 9
o'clock this evening. The Indians whom 1 saw
will be here to-morrow by 12 o'clock. They
had not heard of the battle on the Wisconsin,
but appeared to be highly gratified and pleased
at the news."
The next day, July 27, Gen. Street ordered
Mr. Burnett to "proceed with Washington De-
cori to La Crosse, and such other points as you
may deem important, and tell liic Winnebagoes
I wish to see them at the agency. I wish Win-
neshiek certainly to come. Much must be left
to your own judgment in the case. The object
is to get what information you can relative to
the Sauks and Foxes, and to draw all the Win-
nebagoes from the Upper Mississi])pi, and with
them the means of passing the river. If you
can, cxtt'nd tiie news to the Sioux."
The following day Mr. Burnett reported to
Gen. Street: "In obedience to your order of
yesterday, I went on l)oard the steamer Knler-
prise last evening, and started for La Crosse.
We arrived early this morning at the entrance
of the lower mouth of Black river and found
the Winnebagoes encamped on the shore. I
took Wekon Decori, and went on shore immedi-
244
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
ately to see the Indians. I found the one-eyed
Decori, and the Little Thuiidev at the lodges,
but found that most of the band had left the
village sometime since. Winneshiek :ind Wau-
marnarsar, with about fifteen men and their
families, had been gone near a month to hunt
and dry meat about fifty miles up La Crosse and
Black rivers. The rest of the band were in the
camp. I told them that you wished to see
them immediately; that the Americans under
Gen Dodge had defeated the Sauks and Foxes
on the Wisconsin, and after killing a groat
many, had driven them across the rivei-; that
the defeated Indians were endeavoring to
make their escape to the 31issi»sippi for the
purpose of crossing it and regaining their own
country; and that it was probable they wouM
attempt to reach that point, that they might
get the Winnebago canoes to cross in, and that
they must get away from that place before the
Sauks and Foxes arrived.
"They said they would come down immedi-
ately on the return of the absent party; that
they were afraid of the Sauks, and did nut wish
to leave a small part of their band behind, who
were too few to resist if they would meet them.
I then told ihem to send two of their best
young men on horseback to bring in the hunt-
ing party. They very promptly complied, and
in a short time the young men were mounted
and on their way. I charged the express to
carry to the absent Indians the message I had
delivered, and to tell Winneshiek especially,
that his presence was required at the agenc}".
The chiefs present told me that they thought
they would all be here certainly in six days,
and probably sooner. I told them it was of
great importance to them to come as soon as
possible, and bring all their canoes on the river;
that if the Sauks should come to that pointthe}'
were not strong enough to prevent them from
taking their canoes (if they did not kill tiu-ni),
and crossing over the river ; that shouKl they
effect a passage to the west side of the river, at
any point above this place, within their couutry,
they would be suspected of assisting them, and
if it should be known that they had done so,
they would lose their annuities and be treated
as allies of the Sauks and Foxes. They prom-
ised to start for tliis place on the return of the
absent party and bring all their canoes with
thetn. From their apparent anxiety, I think
they will be here in three or four days at the
farthest, though they said it might be six.
"The Sioux chief, L'Ark, who left this place
on the evening of the 25lli inst., passed Black
river this morning before our arrival, and will
reach his people with the news (which he re-
ceived from here) to-day. Having done all we
could, we left La Crosse at 10 a. M.,and reached
tills place at 3 p. m., making ninety miles in
five hours."
It was but a few days after this the 2d of August,
18.32, that Gen. Atkinson over-hauled the broken
fragments of Black Hawk's army, fatigued,
hungry and dispirited, and attacked them on the
bottoms of the Mississippi, a few miles below
the mouth of Bad Ax river, about forty-five
miles above Prairie du Chien, and totally de-
feated and scattered them, as related in a pre-
vious chapter. Black Hawk was soon after
taken prisoner by a company of Winnebagoes.
Mr. Burnett met them soon after the capture,
to whom Black Hawk gave a piece of red rib-
bon which was tied to his hair.
AFTER THE BATTLE OF BAD AX.
[By John A. Wakefield. 18.33.]
As soon as the battle was over, all the
wounded were collected to one place, and, with
those of our enemy, were examined and their
wounds dressed ; there was no difference here
between our men and our enemy. The differ-
ent surgeons did their best for both. They
were no longer able to do us any harm, but
were in our power and begging for mercy, and
we acted like a civiiizeil )ieople, although it was
with the worst kind of enemies, and one that
had done so much mischief and had taken away
so many of the lives of our fellow citizens.
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
245
We had killed and wounded a great many of
these wretched wanderers, that have no home
in the world, but are like the wild beasts, more
llian man, wandering from forest to forest, and
not making any improvement in the natural
mind. All their study is how to proceed in the
eliuse, or take t;calps in time of war. But,
although they are a raiseiable race of people,
anil live a wretched life, they are much fright-
ened when they see death staring them in the
face, which was the case at this time. When
we came upon the squaws and children, they
raised a scream and cry loud enough to affect
the stoutest man upon earth. If they liad
shown themselves they would have come off
much better, but fear prevented them, and
in their retreat, trying to hide from us, many
of them were killed, but contrary to the wish
of every man, as neither officer nor private
intended to have spilt the blood of those squaws
and children. But sucli was their fate ; some
of them were killed, but imt intentionally by
any man, as all were mcTi of too much sense of
honor an<l feeling to have killed any but those
who were able to harm us. We all well knew
the squaws and children could do us no harm
and could not hel[> what the old Black Hawk
and the other chiefs did.
The prisoners we took seemed to lament their
ever having raised arras against the United
States, and appeared to blame the Black Hawk
and tl)e Prophet for the miserable condition
tiiat their tribe was then in, but at the same
time appeared to rejoice that they were pris-
oners of war, which jjlainly showed that they
ha 1 some faith in our humanity and that they
wiiuld exchange the life they were then living
for any other. 'I'hey appeared to manifest
every token of honesty in their examination.
Thi-y staled tliat Black Hawk had stolen off up
the river at the commencement of the battle,
witii s me few of his warriors and a few squaws
and children. I think the number of warriors
was Ion, and thirty-five women and children, or,
in other word.-, four lodges, which is the Indian
phrase, as they do not know how to count by
numbers They were examined respecting tlie
first battle we had with thi-m on the Wisconsin
and they stated that we killed sixty-eight on
the field of action, and that twenty-five had died
since from their wounds, making in all ninety-
three that we are certain we killed in that
battle, beside.^ a number more that there is no
doubt still lingered and died with their wounds.
Putting together what were killed in the two
battles, and all the little skiimishes, we must
have destroyed upwards of 4U0of these unhapjjy
and miserable beings, which was occasioned, no
doul)t by the superstitious ideas which were in-
stilled into their minds by the Prophet. Al-
though I have already stated that those unhappy
wanderers make no improvement in the natural
mind, thej still, by instinct, believe in an over-
ruling Providence, and are the most credulous
people upon earth. They pay much atteution
to their dreams, and if one of their Nation
dreams mucli, he soon takes the name of
prophet, as they believe it to be a visitation of
the Great Spirit. One morning I chanced to
rise very early, and taking a walk through the
encaigpment, accidentally wandered to where
the Indians were encamped. It was just at
the dawn of day, and they were just beginning
their morning worship of the Great Spirit. I
had often heard that these uninformed children
of the forest believed that there was a God,
and tried to worship Him, which made me call
a halt to see if what I had beard respecting this
unhappy people was true. They commenced
by three of them standing up witli their faces
to the east; one of them commenced a kind of
talk, as though he was talking to some person
at a distance, at the same time shaking a gourd,
which from the rattling, I should have taken to
be full of pebbles or beans. The other two
stood very still, looking towards tlie east; the
others were all sitting around in the most perfect
silence, when the old prophet, priest, or what-
ever they called him, commenced a kind of
song, which I believe is the common one sung
246
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
by the Indians on all occasions. It was as near
as I could make it out, in the following words:
"He-aw-aw-he-aw-how-he-aw-hnm," with a great
many elevations and falls in their tone, and
beating time with the gourd of pebbles. When
this song was sung, they commenced a kind of
prayer, which I thought the most soleinn thing
I had witnessed. It was a long monotonous
note, occasionally dropping by a number of
tones at once, to a low and unearthly murmur.
When he had done he handed the gourd of peb-
bles to one of the two that stood by him, who
went, as near as I could ascertain through the
same ceremony, still shaking the gourd. When
he had done he handed it to the third, who
went through the same motions, and making
use of the same words that the first two had
done, which I suppose was a supplication or
prayer to the Great Spirit to give them plenty
to eat, and strength to conquer their enemies.
It is stated by those who are acquainted with
this race of people, that they are very much
afraid of offending the Great Spirit. If they
have bad luck in hunting, they think it is
caused by their having offended the Great Sjiii'it,
and they make an atonement, by offering up or
making sacrifice of something that they set
much store by, such as burning their tobacco, or
something else that they dote upon very much,
but there is nothing in this world that they
think more of than tobacco, as smoking they
think is almost as indispensibly necessary as
eating.
I must now return to the battle ground with
my subject. After the battle was all over, and
the wounded all attended to the prisonei's and
the wounded of both parties were put on board
of the seamboat IVfirrior, and taken down to
Prairie duChien, where the wounded vveie taken
to the hospital and the prisoners put in contiiie-
ment.
The boat returned to us the next morning.
We are still at the battle ground, or near it;
whilst we lay there our men were still picking
up scattering Indians. * They brought in an old
chief who was wounded. He was very poor
was between six and seven feet high, what hair
was on his head was gray, but that was not
much, as the most of it was shaved off, just
leaving enough for hand-hold to scalp him by,
as these supertitious beings think it would be
a mark of cowardice to cut off this tuft of hair,
which they call their scalp. These superstitious
being believe that if they are maimed or dis-
figured in this world they will appear in the
same form, which is the reason they scarcely
ever bury their dead. If he should chance to
lose his scalp they think that it would show in
the next world that he had been conquered and
scalped by an enemy which would go to show
that he was not a great warrior.
Gen. Atkinson now thought he had taken
just retriluition for the blood these Indians had
spiit on our frontiers, and saw that it would be
useless to cross the river in pursuit of those
wretched beings for they were now scattered
and hid in the swamps, so ttiatit was an impossi-
ble thing to take many of them. He finally came
to the conclusion to drop down to Prairie du
Chien and have a talk with the Winneba-
goes, for it was now manifest that they had
been allie.'s to the Sacs and Foxes for the prison-
ers that we took in this action put ail doubts to
rest on this score. We had a long time be-
lieved that they were acting treacherously and
Gen. Atkinson now thought that it was time to
l)ring them to an account for their conduct. He
accordingly on the second day after the bat-
tle, which was the 4th of Augu'^t, took up the
line of march for Prairie du Chien, but before
Gen. Atkinson left the battle ground he provis"
ioned a number of Sioux and some Winnebagoes
and sent them in search of Black I'awk to see
if they could not capture him, and bring him in
as a prisoner, which the Sioux appeared to be
anxious to do as the Sacs and they had been at
variance a long time and they saw tliat there
was no chance of taking levenge for the many
injuries the Sacs had dom; them. Gen.
Atkinson and the infantry went down on the
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTr.
247
steamboat Warrior Sind reached Prairie du Chien
tbe same daj' we started. The mounted men, bag-
gage and all went down by land and reaclie<i
Prairie du Chien the next day, which was the oth
of August. On entering the settlement of
Prairie duChien we witnessed a very novel scene.
The Monomonoe Indians were rejoicing at the
defeat of the Sacs and Foxes, and were express-
ing it by music and dancing. They had ob-
tained several scalps, amongst which were some
of the squaws, which they always gave to their
squaws. They had given their squaws several
of them and were making music for tliem
to dance around them. It was, as near as
I could observe, in the following way: The
men all stood in a row with gourds in their
liandi", shaking them in a very regular order,
while one old fellow was beating on the head a
kind of drum, which is generally a deer skin
stretched over a hollow gum, sawed to the
length of our drums. They never use but one
stick and that very slow. The squaws were
all paraded in front of the men, facing them,
and the squaws, who were related to those
whom the Sacs and Foxes killed in 1831, held
scalps of the Sacs and Foxes squaws, on long
poles and stood in the center between the two
lines, shaking them while the other squaws and
the men danced around them, apparently try-
ing to keep time with the rattling of the gourds
and the sound of the drum and all at the same
time singing the song usually sung by all Na-
tions of Indians, consisting only of a few simple
words that I have already repeated; but they
rise and fall very singularly and always beat
time to the song with their feet; when the song
gets to the highest pitch they jump up very
high and sometimes stamp with their feet.
They generally bend forward toward each other,
sometimes with their noses so close as to touch.
The squaws appeared to exert all the power
they were master of in shaking the scalps, and
using their feet at the same time with the drum-
mer and the gourd shaker, and from tlieir coun-
tenances they appeared to be perfectly happy.
Gen. Atkinson, on the second day after we
arrived at Prairie du Chien, had the principal
chiefs of the Winncbagoes, and a few of the
Menomonees, at Gen. Street's, the Indian agent
at Prairie du Chien, and had a talk with them,
lie told them that they had given him reason to
think they were not true to him, as he had
caught them in many lies, which tiiey tried to
deny. lie then accused Winneshiek of aiding
the Sacs, and inquired of him where his two
sons were. The answer of Winneshiek was,
that he did not know where they were. Gen.
Atkinson then asked him if they were not with
]>lack Hawk. His answer was that one had
been with him, but he did not know where he
was then. Gen. Atkinson then ordered him to
be put in prison until his sons could be pro-
duced. He then had a talk with the Menomo-
nees, who had never been at war with the
United States. They professed all the friend-
ship in the world for our government; and stated
that they had never done us any harm, and did
not tell lies, and that if the)' wanted to do any
harm now that they would not know how. 'Ihis
was a little Menomonee chief, whose name I do
not recollect. Gen. Atkinson talked very friendly
to him and advised him to pursue the same
friendly course towards the United States, and
they would be well treated. Wheil this chief
was done he made a request of Gen. Atkinson,
whom he termed father, to give each of his
young men a pair of shoes, and stated that their
feet were worn out with walking. He then went
on to explain that wlien he said shoes he meant
horses, and stated that his young men had been
promised a horse apiece, and had not got them.
Gen. Atkinson promised that they should have
them, or that he would see to it, I do not recol-
lect which. On the next day, about 1 1 o'clock,
Winneshiek's sons were brought in, both badly
wounded, which went to confirm that he and
his sons were allies to tlie Sacs and Foxes.
Tiiey had been wounded in the battle on the
Mississippi. They were put in confinement
August 7.
948
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
Gen. Scott and suite arrived this morning in
tlie steamboat Warrior, and assumed tlio com-
mand of tlie whole army, to wliich station lie
haiJ been appointed some time previous, but
was unable to come on sooner, in consequence
of cholera breaking out in his army. He came
past several posts and discharged the men
wherever he found them.
Gen. Scott concluded to discharge the army
(or the mounted vohinteers) that were then in
the field, and demanded Black Hawk, of Keo-
kuk, as both men and Iiorses were nearly worn
out with fatigue. Accordingly, on the 8th day
of August, we left the tented fields and took up
our line of march to Dickson's, on Rock river, the
place appointed for us to be discharged at (or
mustered out of the service of the United States).
Ail now were eager to press forward. We had
turned our faces toward our respective homes,
and notwithstanding that we, as well as our
horses, were nearly worn out with the fatiguing
marclies, through the swamps and over the
mountains, yet all were cheerful, and every
heart seemed to leap for joy, at the thought of
being free from the toils and hardships of a
soldier, to return again to the embraces of a
wife and children, or a father and mother,
brotlieis and sisters, and to mingle, once more,
in the walks and society of the fair sex, which
appears to be a sovereign balm to man in all
his alHictions.
On this day, just at night, we met about
300 Menomonee Indians in company of an
American officer from Green Bay, coming to
join in puisuit of the Sac and Fox Indians. We
happened to meet tliem in a pi-airie. The offi-
cer advanced and met us, or we certainly would
have tired upon them. When we came np to
them they appeared almost to lament that they
had not got in before we had the last battle, in
order that they could liave had an opportunity
of assisting us in tlie work of death to our com-
mon enemy. For they are, as I have already
stated, great enemies to tlie Menomonee In-
dians. Wlien they left us they seemed to press
forward with more vigor, as it was their object
to pursue the balance of the Sacs and Foxes,
who had made their escape.
On the next day we began to reach the set-
tlements in tlie mining country. This was
again a solemn scene. The farms had mostly
been sown in grain of some kind or other.
Those that were in small grain were full ripe
for tlie sickle; but behold! the liusl)andnian
was not there to enjoy the benefits of his
former labor by thrusting in the scythe and
sickle and gathering in his grain; whicli was
fast going to destruction. All appeared to be
solitary, and truly presented a state of mourn-
ing. But as we advanced a little further into
the more thickly settled parts we would occa-
sionally see the smoke just beginning to make
its appearance from the tops of the chimneys;
as some of the inhabitants thought that it would
be as well to risk dying by the tomahawk and
scalping knife as to lose their grain and die by
famine; and others had received information
that we had. slain in battle their troublesome
enemy, who had driven them from their homes
and slain many of their neighbors. Whenever
we approached a house there is no telling the
joy it would give to the desolate man who had
lately emerged from some fort, and had left his
wife and children still in it while he ventured to
his home to save something for thein to subsist
upon.
I must confess that it filled my heait with
gratitude and joy to think that I had been in-
strumental, with many others, in delivering my
country of those merciless savages, and restor-
ing those people again to their peaceful homes
and firesides, there to enjoy in safely the sweets
of a retired life; for a fort is to a hiisl)an(Inian
what jail is to a prisoner. The inhabitants of
this district of country had been shut up in
forts for the last three months, through fear of
becoming a prey to Indian barbarity.
Nothing very interesting occurred on our
march to Dixons. Lieut. Anderson, of the
United States army, met us at this point, and
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
249
by til e 17th of August mustered us all out of
the service of the United States. We sheathed
our swords and buried our tomahawks and each
man again became his own commander and
shaped his own course towards his home, to enjoy
the social society of his relatives and friends, in
the j)ursuit of their different avocations in life.
CAPTURE OF BLACK HAWK AND THE PROPHET.
After the battle of Bad Ax, when Black
Hawk's band was totally defeated, Brevet Brig-
adier-General H.Atkinson, of the United States
army, and J<>seph M. Street, agent for the Win-
nebagoesat Prairie du <'hien, told the principal
chiefs of that Nation, that if they would bring
in the Black Hawk and the Prophet, it would
be well for them, and that the government of
the United States would hold them in future as
friends and treat them kindly, and that they
would not, ty so doing, be considered any longer
the friends of the hostile Sacs and Foxes.
On this declaration, the one-eyed chief, called
the Decori, and Cheater took some of their
men with them and went in pursuit of these
Sac chiefs, in order, if possible, to take them
prisoners and bring them and deliver them up
til the Indian agent at Prairie du Chien. On
the '2'i'lh of August, these two Winnebago chiefs
returned, bringing with them the Black Hawk
and the Prophet, the principal movers and in-
stigators fif the war. The interview with them
at Prairie du Chien, I have been told, was
a very interesting scene. I will give the reader
the substance of their talk with Indian Agent
Street and Col. Zachary Taylor, which will go
to show how vigilant and with what perse-
verence these Winnebago chiefs acted to take
these prisoners. They were upwards of twentj'
days gone, after they left Prairie du Chien,
before they returned with them.
When they arrived, Black Hawk desired to
speak to Indian Agent Street. The amount of
what he said was, that he was not the originator
of the war ; that he was going where he would
meet Keokuk, and then he would tell the truth ;
that he would then tell all aboitt this war which
had caused so much trouble ; that there were
chiefs and braves of the Nation who were the
cause of the continuance of the war ; that he
did not want to hohl any council with him;
that when he got where Keokuk was he would
tell the whole of the origin of the difficulties
an<l of those who committed it ; that he wanted
to surrender long ago, Imt others refused ; tliat
he wanted to surrender to the steamboat War-
rior, and tried to do so until the second fire;
that he then ran and went up the river and
never returned to the battle ground; and his
determination then was to escape if he could;
that he did not intend to surrender after that,
but that when the Winnebagoes came upon
him, he gave up ; and that he would tell all
about the disturbance when he got to Rock
Island.
The one-eyed Decori and the Cheater both
in like manner addressed Mr. Street, whom
they term their father; which almost all the
Indians do their agents. The one-eyed Decori
rose first and addressed him in the following
manner :
"My father, I now .-^tand before you. When
we parted I told you we would return soon; but
I could not come any sooner. We had to go a
great distance [to the dales, dells, on the Wis-
consin river above the portage] ; you see we
have done what you sent us to do. These are
the two you told us to get (pointing to Black
Hawk and the Prophet). We always do what
you tell us to do, beeatise we know it is for our
good. My father, you told us to get these men,
and it would be the cause of much good to the
Winnebagoes. We have brought them, but it
has been very hard for us to do it. That one —
IMacatamish Kakacky — was a great way off. You
told us to bring them alive ; we have done so.
If you had told us to l)ring their heads alone,
we would have done so ; and it would have
been less difficult for us to do, than what we
have done. My father, we deliver these men
into your hands ; we would not deliver them
even to our brother, the chief of the warriors,
250
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
but to you, because we know you and believe
you are our friend. We want you to keep them
safe. If tbey arc to be hurt, we do not wish to
see it ; wait until we are gone before it is done.
My father, many little birds have been flying
about our ears of late, and we thought they
whispered to us that there was evil intended for
us; but now we ho])e the evil birds will let
our ears alone.
"My father, we know you are our friend,
because you take our part; tiiis is the reason
we do what you tell us to do. My father, you say
you love your red children ; we tliink we love
you as much or more than you love us. My
father, we have been promised a great deal if
we would take these men, that it would do much
good for otir people ; we now hope to see what
will be done for us. My father, we have come
in haste, aud are tired and hungry; we now put
these men in your liands. We have done all
you told us to do."
Mr. Street, the agent of the Winnebagoes
then said:
"My children ! you have done well. I told
you to bring these men to me, and you have
done so. I am pleased at what you have done.
It will tend to your good; and, for this reason,
I am well pleased. I assured the great chief of
the warriors that, if these men were in your
country, you would And them and bi'ing them
to me; that I believed you would do what I
directed you to do. Now I can say much for
your good. I will go down to Rock Island with
ihe prisoners; and I wish you who have brought
these men especially to go with me, and such
other cliiefs and warriors as you may select.
My children! the great cliief of the warriois,
when he left tliis place, directed me to deliver
these and all other prisoners to the cliief of the
warriors. Col. Taylor, who is by my side.
"Some of the Winnebagoes on the south side
of the Wisconsin river have befriended the
Sacs, and some of the Indians of my agency
have given them aid; this was wrong and dis-
pleased the great chief of the warriors and
your great father, the President, and was calcu-
lated to do much harm. My children! your
great father, the President at Washington,
has sent a great war chief from the far east —
Gen. Scott — with a fresh army of soldiers, who
is now at Rock Island.
"Your great father has sent liim and the
governor of Illinois to hold a council with the
Indians at Rock Island; he has sent a speech to
you; and he wishes the chiefs and warriors of
the Winnebagoes to meet him in council on
the 10th of September next. I wish you to be
ready to go along with me to Rock Island.
"My children! I am well pleased that you
have taken Black Hawk and the Prophet and
so nianv others, because it will enable me to
say much for you to the great cliief of the war-
riors and your great father the President. I
shall nowdeliver these two men, Black Hawk
and the Prophet, to the chief of the warriors
here. Col. Taylor, who will take good care of
them until we start to Rock Island."
Col. Taylor then said:
"The great chief of the warriors told me to
take the prisoners when you should bring them
and send tliem to Rock Island to him. I will
take them and keep them safe, but use them
well, and will send them by you and Mr. Street
when you go down to the council, which will
be in a few days. Your friend, Mr. Street ad-
vised you to get ready and go down soon, and
so do. I tell you again, I will take the prisoners
and kee]>them safe, but will do them no Iinrm.
I will deliver them to the gieat chief of the
warriors, and lie will do with them in such
manner as he may be ordered by your great
father, the President."
Cheater, a Winnebago, said to Mr. Street, the
agent:
"My father! I am young and don't know how
to make speeches. This is the second time I
ever spoke to you before the people. My
father! I am no chief, I am no oratoi-, but I
have been allowed to speak to you. My father!
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
L'53
If I sliall not speak as well as others, still you
must listen to me.
"My father! when you made the speech to
Ihe chiefs, Waut^h-kan-decorri, Carimanee, the
one-eyed Deeorri, and others, the other day, 1
was there. I heard you. I thoui^ht what you
said to them you also said to me. You said if
these two (pointing to Black Hawk and the
Prophet) were taken by us and brought to you
there would never any more a l)lack cloud hang
over your Winnebagoes. My father! your
words entered into my ears, into my brain and
into my heart. I left here that very night,
and you know you have not seen me since, until
now. My father! I have been a great way. I
had much trouble; but when I remembered
what you said I knew you were right. 'Iliis
made me keep on and do what you told me.
Near the dale [dells] on the Wisconsin river 1
took Black Hawk. No one did it but me. 1
say this in the ears of all present, and tliey
know it; and now I appeal to the Great Spiiii.
our Grand Mother, for the truth of what I say.
My father! I am no chief, but what I liave doni
is for the benefit of my own Nation, and I hopt
for tiie good that has been promised us. My
father! that one, Waboki-shick, is my relation.
If he is to be hurt I do not wish to see it. My
father! soldiers sometimes stick the ends of
their guns [bayonets] into the back of Indian
inisoners when they are going about in the
hands of the guard. I hope this will not be
done to these men."
DKATII OF BLACK HAWK.
Hiack Hawk was sent as a prisoner from
Prairie du Chien to Jefferson barracks, under
cliarge of Lieut. Jefferson Davis — then in the
United States army at Prairie du Chien, and
thirty years later President of the Confederate
States. Ulack Hawk was kept a close prisoner
until April, is.3:{, when he was taken to Wash-
ington, together with some of his family and
the Prophet. After an interview with Presi-
dent Jack.son, and being emphatically told by him
that the government would compel the red men
to be at peace, they were sent as prisoners to
Fortress Monroe, for "levying war," as Davis
was, thirty-two years later, for the same offense.
On June -t, 183'1, by order of the President,
Jilack Hawk and his fellow prisoners were lib-
erated and sent home, under otlicers appointed
to conduct them through the principal cities
of the Union, in order to impress them with a
proper sense of the power of the whites and of
the hopelessness of any conflict on the part of the
Indians with the government of the United
States. Black Hawk ever after remained quiet,
lie died Oct. 3, 1S38, and was buried on the
banks of the Mississippi, in the State of Iowa,
near the head of the Des Moines rapids, where
the village of Montrose is located.
JOHN H. Fonda's narrative.
The Black Hawk war commenced this year,
[1832]. Some of Dodge's recruiting officers
were drumming around here. I met and got
acquainted with one, named White, and enlisted
dui'ing the war. A quartermaster was up here
buying horses. He purchased near 500 head,
and 1 went with them down to the mouth of
Rock river, where the ainiy under Atkinson
was encamped.
I was under Dodge'.s ci>niman<l of Illinois
volunteers, and a wilder, more independent set
of dare-devils I never saw. They had a free-
and-easy, devil-may-care appearance about them,
that is never seen in the regulars, and Gen.
Dodge of all others, was the officer to lead them.
A number of Sioux, Winnebagoes and some
Menomonces joined the forces on Rock river.
I was in the ranks, and my opportunities for
knowing and seeing the movements of the
army, from the encampment on Kock river to
the Four lakes, and to the Wisconsin bluffs,
were limited.
Gens. Atkinson, Dodge, Henry and Ale.x-
ander, lead the different commands. The force
under Dodge, consisted of 200 or ;iOO men, and
we jtrocecded to the lakes, through tlie swamps
towards Black Hawk's camp on Rock river.
Gen. Dodge was impatient to engage the Ii--
16
254
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
dians, and urged the men on ; but orders came
for our men to proceed to head quarters, where
we immediately went.
From Gen. Atkinson's camp we were marched
to Fort Winnebago, from where we started in
pursuit of the Indians, who there held the two
Hall girls prisoners, and were camped at Rock
River Rapids. Gen. Henry's and Dodge's men
reach the Rapids, but the Indians had retreated.
Information was received that the Indians were
making westward, and getting on their trail,
we followed them rapidly for two days ; the
scouts discovered many Indians on the second
day about camp near the lake. The pursuit
was renewed on the day after reaching the
lakes, where one or more of the Indians was
killed. Our men led the chase, next after the
scouts, who were continually firing at the In-
dians The Indians continued to retreat, until
they reached the Wisconsin river, where some
made a stand and showed fight, while the others
crossed the river. Here we were fired on by
the Indians, and one man was killed and several
wounded. We returned their fire with effect,
and then charged them, killing a good many,
all of whom were scalped by the wild Sucker
volunteers.
Soon after the skirmish on Wisconsin bluffs,
Gen. Atkinson came up, and the entire army
crqssed the river at Pine Bend, (Helena), and
took the trail on the opposite side, and followed
it seven or eight miles, in the direction of Prai-
rie du Chien. When it was discovered that the
Indians were making for the Mississippi, Gen.
Atkinson sent me ■■ith little Boiseley to carry a
dispatch to Fort Crawford, that the inhabitants
might be ready to prevent the Indians crossing
in any canoes or boats belonging to the citizens.
Boiseley and I traveled day and night, and ar-
rived at the fort without seeing an Indim.
Black Hawk and his people, with the army in
pursuit, hnd turned northward, intending to
ford the Kickapoo high up.
It \^ as on the 1 St day of August when Boise-
ley and I reached the Sugar Loaf, at the south
end of the prairie. As we were taking a look
over the prairie, previous to starting for the fort,
we saw the smoke and steam of a boat coming up
the river, just off the mouth of the Wisconsin.
We hastened on, and reached the fort as the
steamer Warrior made the government landing.
I reported myself to Capt. Loomis, and was di-
rected to go up the river in the boat. I assisted
to get a six-pounder from the fort on to the
Warrior, which cannon was managed by five
other persons and myself, and was the only
cannon fired .at the Indians — if not the only one
aboard.
The steamboat Warrior was commanded by
Thoekmorton, and Lieut. Kingsbury was aboard
with a body of regulars. The cannon was placed
on the forward part of the boat, without a de-
fense of any kind; and I have the names of the
five persons who assisted to manage it, for they
got on at the prairie when I did.
The boat steamed up stream with all onboard
anxious to get a pop at the Indians. Just above
where Lansing is, we picked up a soldier, who
had been discharged from Fort Snelling, and
was coming down the river in a canoe. He had
come down the west channel, on the Minnesota
side opposite Bad Ax, and, fortunately for him,
he did not meet the Indians. We came in sight
of the Indians south of the Bad Ax river; they
were collected together on a bench of the land
close to the Mississippi, and were making efforts
to get their women across.
Capt. Dickson's scouts had not come up yet,
and the Indians raised a white flag and endeav-
ored to induce the boat to approach the eastshore,
and succeeded in bringing her close enough to
pour a shower of balls into her. The cannon
sent a shower of canister amongst the Indians,
which was repeated three times, each time
moving a swath clean through them. After
discharging the gun three times, (there was only
three charges of canister shot aboard), the Indians
retreated to the low ground back from the
shore, where, lying on their bellies, they were
safe from us,
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
A continual firing of small arms was kept up
between the persons on board tbe boati and the
Indians ashore, until the fire-«ood gave out,
when we were obliged to put back to Prairie du
Chien to wood up — for there were no woodyards
on the Mississippi as now. The village was
roused to carry wood aboard, and we soon
had a sufficient quantity of that article. A
lot of Menomonee Indians were also taken on,
and then, under a full head of steam, we put
back to the scene of the battle.
Before we rounded the island, and got within
sight of the battle-ground, we could hear the
report of musketry, and then it was that I heard
Thockmorton say: "Dodge is giving them
h — 11!" And he guessed right, for as we reached
the scene of action, the wild volunteers under
Gen. Do Ige were engaged in a fierce conflict
with the Indinns. The Indians were driven
down to the river edge; some of them unde:
shelter of the bank were firing at the volun
teers, who had command of the b]nfi"s. Tb'
Suckers and Hoosiers, as wo calle<l them, fougl i
like perfect tigers, and carried everytliing befo;
them.
The troops and Indians on board the Warrim
kept up a brisk fire on the Indians ashore, who
fought with a desperation that surpassed every-
thing I ever saw, during an Indian fight.-and
T have seen more than one. The Indians were
between two fires; on the bluffs above them
were Dickson and his rangers, and Dodge lead-
ing on his men, wlio needed no urging; while
we kept steaming back and forth on the river,
running down those who attempted to cross, and
shooting at the Indians on shore .
The soldier we picked up helped to man the
gun, and during the engagement be was wounded
in the knee by a rifle ball. The Indians' shots
would hit the water or patter against the boat,
but occasionally a rifle ball si'ut with more force,
«ould whistle through botli sides. Some of the
Indians, naked to the breech-cloth, slid down
into the water, where they lai'd. with only tlieir
mouth and nostrils above the surface; but by
running the boat closer in to the east shore our
McMomonees were enabled to make the water
too hot for them. One after another, they
jumped nj), and were shot down in attempting
to gain' cover on the bank above. One warrior,
more brave than the others, or, perhaps, more
accustomed to the smell of gun-powder, kept
his position in the water until the balls fell
around him like hail, when he also concluded
to ]}>/gh-a-shee* and commenced to creep up the
bank. But he never reached the top for Thock-
morton had his eye upon him, and drawing up
bis heavy rifle, he sent a ball through the ribs
of the Indian, who sprang into the air with an
t((/h/ and fell dead. There was only one per-
son killed of those who came up on the TTarrior,
and that was an Indian. The pilot was fired at
many times, but escaped unharmed, though the
pilot house was riddled with balls.
One incident occurred during the battle tliat
came under my observation, which I must not
omit to relate. An old Indian brave and his
five sons, all of whom I had seen on the prairie
and knew, had taken a stand behind a prostrate
log, in a little ravine, midway up the bluff;
from whence they fired on the regulars with
deadly aim. The old man loaded the guns as
fast as his sons discharged them, and at each sliot
a man fell. They knew they could not expect
quarter, and they sold their lives as dear as pos-
sible; making the best show of fight, and held
their ground the firmest of any of the Indians.
But they could never withstand the men under
Dodge, for as the volunteers poured over the
bluff, they each shot a man, and in return, encli
of the braves were shot down .iiid scaljied by
the wild volunteers, who out witli their knives,
and cutting two ]>arallel gashes down their
backs, would strip the skin from tbe qui\eririg
flesh, to make razor strops of. In this manner
I saw the old brave and his five sons lr(at(d,
and afterward bad a ])iece of ibeir bide.
* Pugh-<i-8hef — he off—escapr—ip tiuitc n ooiiinion word with
several of the wcetorn Indian trilies. The Phnwanors usc(' It.
256
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
After the Indians had been completely routed
on the east side, we carried Col. Taylor and
his force across the river, to islands opposite,
which we raked with grape and round shot.
Taylor and his men charged through the islands
to the right and left, but they only took a few
prisoners; mostly women and children. I landed
with the troops, and was moving along the
shore to tlie north, when a little Indian boy,
with one of his arms shot most off, came out of
the bushes and made signs for something to eat.
He seeraed perfectly indifferent to pain, and
only sensible of hunger, for when I carried the
little naked fellow aboard, some one gave him
a piece of hard bread, and he stood and ate it,
with the wounded arm dangling by the torn
flesh; and so he remained until the arm was
taken off.
Old Wa-ba-shaw, with a band of his warriors
and Menomonees, were sent in pursuit of those
of Black Hawk's people who crossed the Mis-
sissippi, and very few of the Sauk and Fox In-
dians ever reached their own country. The
Warrior carried down to the Prairie, after the
fight, the regular troops, wounded men and
prisoners; among the latter was an old Sauk
Indian, who attempted to destroy himself by
pounding his own head with a rock, much to the
amusement of the soldiers.
Soon after Black Hawk was captured, the
volunteers were discharged, and I received a
land warrant for my two month's service, set-
tled down and got married.
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
257
CHAPTER VIII
UNITED STATES LAND SURVEYS.
The first surveys by the general government
of lands in Wisconsin, were made south of the
Wisconsin river and the Fox river of Green
bay. The northern boundary line of the State
of Illinois, fixed April 11, 1618, on the parallel
of 42 degrees 30 minutes north latitude, became,
properly enough, the base line of these surveys,
(as indeed of all the surveys afterwards made by
the United States in this State). A principal
north and south line, known as the fourth me-
ridian, was run at right angles, of course with
the base line, and extending from it to Lake
Superior. This meridian line is east of all the
tirritory in Crawford county. It runs south
through the center of Richland, and continues
on to the base line on the east boundary of
Grant and on the west boundary of Lafayette
and Iowa counties. It extends north, through
Vernon county, through the eastern part of
Monroe, Jackson, Clark and other counties;
until it strikes Lake Superior a short distance
to the westward of the mouth of Montreal
river.
Parallel lines to the fourth meridan were
run every six miles, on the east and west sides
of it. The intervening six miles between
lines are called ranges. Range 1 east, is the
first six miles of territory east of the fourth
meridian ; range 2 east, is the second six miles ;
and so on, to Lake Michigan. However, on the
west side of the fourth meridian, the ranges
ure numbered consecutively westward. Range
1 west, is the first six miles of territory west of
that line ; range 2 west, is the second six miles,
and so on, to the Mississippi river. Therefore
it is that Crawford county lies in ranges -3, 4, 5,
6 and 7 west.
HOW CEAWFOBD CODNTT WAS SUEVEYED.
Parallel lines north of the base line (the north
boundary line of the State of llHnois) were run
every six miles, which crossing the ranges at
right angles, cut the whole into blocks six miles
square, called townships. These townships are
numbered by tiers going north, from the base
line; the first tier being known as township
north, the second tier, as township 2 north, and
so on until the extreme north boundary of the
State (not covered by water) is reached, which
is of course the extreme north side of the most
northern of the Apostle islands, in Bayfield
county. Now, if we begin at the base line and
count the tiers of townships until Crawford
county is reached, we discover that we have
numbered six of them.
Looking upon the map of the county, we find
that the first tier of townships on the south is
numbered the 6th ; but in this tier, there are
only three townships, and these fractional
They are townships 6, in ranges 5, 6 and V west
The next tier is numbered 7. In this are five
townships — all fractional, except one. They
are townships 7, in ranges 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 west.
The third tier going north is numbered 8. In
this are five townships — two whole ones and
three fractional. They are townships 8, in
ranges 3, 4, 5,6 and 7 west. The fourth tier in
the county is numbered 9. In this are three
whole and one fractional township. They are
townships 9, in ranges 3, 4, 5 and 6 west. The
fifth tier of townships is numbered 10. In this
258
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
tier are three whole and two fractional town-
ships. They are townships 10, in ranges 3, 4,
5, 6 and 7 west. The sixth tier is cut in twain,
the south half being in Crawford county, while
the north half is in Vernon county. The tier
(as a whole) is numbered 11. In it are four
half townships, and one fractional half. They
are (half) townships 1 1, in ranges 3, 4, 5, 6 and
7 west.
After the several township lines were run,
then each township was sub-divided into sec-
tions and quarter sections, called, in surveying
language, "sectionized." As a section is a mile
square, there is, of course, in every whole town-
ship, thirty-six sections of land. Fur conven-
ience, these are always numbered as follows:
6
5
4
3
2
1
^7
8
9
10
11
12
18
17
16
15
14
13
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
1
30
29
28
27
26
25
31
32
33
34
35
36
In each whole section, there are 640 acres ;
and, when a section is divided into four parts,
each quarter section contains 100 acres. It is
usually in quarter sections that the land of the
United States is disposed of ; although, if de-
sired, it will be divided into eighty acre tracts,
or even forty acres.
CIVIL TOWNS AND SURVEYED TOWNSHIPS.
Only two of the civil towns of Crawford
county contain each a surveyed township — no
more or less; these are the towns of Haney and
Scott. The towns of Freeman, Utica, Clayton,
Seneca, Eastman, Marietta, Wauzeka and Prairie
du Chien, contain each more lli:ui one Miivuyed
township; while the town of Bridgeport con-
tains less than one.
'J^he town of Haney has, for its territory,
township !), in range 4 west; while that, of Scott
has township 9, in range 3 west. All the other
towns have territory so irregular in their shape,
that a reference to the map is necessary to un-
derstand their size and outlines.
DATES OF SURVEYS AND NOTES OF SURVtVORS.
From the field notes of the surveyors and the
government i)lats, many items of interest are
obtained. These sources furnish the following
facts: — The townsliip lines in Crawford county
were run by \V. A. Hurt, Ira B. Brunson,Pizarro
Cook and John Ryan, in the years 1839, 1?40,
1841, 1854, 1857 and 1881, mostly in 1839.
The sectional lines were run by Orson Lyon,
Iia B. Brunson, Samuel C. Wiltse, A. L. Haren,
W. Barrows and John Ryan, in the years 1840,
1843, 1854, 1857,1881 and 1882, mostly in 1840
and 1843.
The first surveying was done by Wm. A.
Burt, who ran nearly nil the township lines in
Crawford county in the 4th quarter of 1839.
The last surveying was done by Pizarro
Cook, who re-surveyed the town of Haney iu
1881-82.
Township 6 north, of range 5 west (south-
western part of Wauzeka) was surveyed by
Orson Lyon assisted by Truman B. Gorton,
Samuel Kirkpatrick, chainman, and I. K. Vin-
derburgh, in the 2d quarter of 1840.
Township 6 north, of range 6 west (part of
the town of Bridgeport and a portion of the
city of Prairie du Chien) was surveyed by
Orson Lyon, United States deputy surveyor, in
March, 1840. He was assisted by Trumau B.
Gorton, Samuel Kirkpatrick, chainman, and I.
K. Vinderburgh. The surveyor says: "Suiface
of this townsliip is hilly, rocky and poor second
rate. Except the river bottom, which is low,
level, wet, and not fit for cultivation. A\'ell
timbered with oak, maple, ash and elm. The
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
259
upland is thinly timbered with white, black and
burr oak, and some hickory undergrowth."
Township 7 north, of range 3 west (a fraction
of section 6 only). Orson Lyon surveyed this
township in April, 1840. He was assisted by
T. B. Gorton and S. D. Kirkpatrick.
Township 7 north, of range 4 west (in Mari-
etta and Wauzeka) was surveyed by Orson Lyon,
assisted by T. B. Gorton, S. D. Kirkpatrick,
chainman, and F. Cox. The surveyor has this
to say of this township:
"Tiie surface of this township is hilly and
well timbered, north and east of the Kickapoo
river. Timber is oak, lynn, elm and sugar
tree. The river bottoms of the Wisconsin and
Kickapoo, are low, swampy and third rate.
"The u[)land between the river bottom and
bluff is rolling and good second rate land, with
some first rate. The land in the hills is rocky,
and poor second and third rate.
"West and south of the Kickapoo river the
land is hilly and thinly timbered with white
and black oak, with an undergrowth of grape
vine.
"The river bottom is level, swampy and third
rate."
Township 7 north, of range 5 west (Wau-
zeka) was surveyed in the •2d quarter of 1840,
by Orson Lyon, United States deputy surveyor,
who was assisted by Truman B. Gorton, S. D.
Kirkpatrick, chainmen, and Isaac K. Vinder-
burgh. This township, says the surveyor, "is
hilly and broken, soil third rate and poor sec-
ond rate, also some little first rate land. Tim-
bered with black oak, with but little under-
growth."
"J^ownship 7 north, of range 6 west (part of
Bridgeport, and of the city and town of Prairie
du Chien) was surveyed in the )st quarter of 1840
by Orson Lyon, assisted by T. B. Gorton, hind
cliainman; S. D. Kirkpatrick, fore chainman;
J. B. Cartz, marker.
In his field notes, Mr Lyon says: "The sur-
face of this township is hilly, and in many
l>laces broken and rocky. The soil with few
exceptions is poor second and third rate lands.
"The timber is principally white oak, with lit-
tle undergrowth.
The hollows are mostly without timber. Soil,
first rate."
Township 7 north, of range 7 west (town and
city of Prairie du Chien, in part) was, some por-
tions of it, surveyed in March and July, 1857,
by Ira Brunsou.
Township 8 north, of range 3 west (part of
Marietta) was surveyed in the 2d and 3d quar-
ters of 1840 by Orson Lyon, assisted by T. Cox
and John Corley. The surveyor says: "Surface
hilly, soil broken, bushy and might be called
third rate.
"The timber is oak, lynn and sugar-tree, ex-
cei)ting on the river and creek bottom, where
the timber is elm, ash, maple and oak, with an
undergrowth of the same."
Township 8 north, of range 4 west (parts of
Marietta, Wauzeka and Eastman), was sur-
veyed in the 3d quarter of 1S40, by Orson Lyon,
assisted by John Corley and T. Cox. In his
notes Mr. Lyon states that the surface is hilly,
soil broken and poor second rate.
"East of the Kickapoo river, is well timbered
with lynn, sugar-tree and oak, with an under-
growth of the same, with prickly-ash, briars
and grapevines. In that part of the township
lying west of the Kickapoo river the soil is sec-
ond rate, liilly and broken, thinly timbered
with oak."
Township 8 north, of range 5 west (parts of
Eastman and Wauzeka) was surveyed by Orson
Lyon, in the 2d quarter of 1840; he was assisted
by chainman S. D. Kirkpatrick and marker, I.
K. Vinderburgh. The notes of the surveyor are
as follows: "Surface hilly and broken, in many
places, and might be called poor second rate
land. Is thinly timbered with white, black and
burr oak. The creek bottoms are prairie and
first rate land."
Township 8 north, of range 6 west (a part of
Eastman) was surveyed by Orson Lyon, dejmty
I surveyor, in March and April, 1840, assisted by
260
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
T. B. Gorton, S. D. Kirkpatrick, chainman,and
J. B. Chartz, marker.
Township 8 norfi, of range 1 west (a part of
Eastman) was surveyed in March and July,
1857, by Ira B. Brunson.
Township 9 north, of range 3 west (Scott) was
surveyed in the 2d quarter of 184 8, by Samuel C.
Wi'tse, deputy suryeyor. "Majority of this
township, "says the surveyor, "is composed of
first and second rate qualities of laud. Whole
township is heavily timbered, maple and oak
predominating. Every section contains a capi-
tal 'sugar orchard' and some of them are cov-
ered with little else. The streams which are
all bordered with a dense undergrowth are per-
manent and full of mountain trout. The water
is clear, cold and soft, running over pebbly
bottoms."
Townsliip 9 north, of range 4 west (Haney)
was surveyed July 2-11, 1843, by Samuel C.
Wiltse, deputy surveyor, assisted by J. B. Mc
FarJin, W. J. Curtiss, chainmen, and E. D.
Smith, marker. Re-surveyed by Pizarro Cook,
November and December, 1881.
Township 9 north, of range 5 west (part of
Seneca) was surveyed in the 2d quarter of 1843 by
A. L. Haren, deputy surveyor, assisted by Aust n
Wilder, C. C. Carter, chainman, and C. Ham-
ilton, marker. The surveyor says: "Surface
broken. Timber of an inferior quality, with
the exception of a few groves on the west side
of the township."
Township 9 north, range 6 west (part of Sen-
eca), was surveyed by A. L. Haren, in the 4th
quarter of 1843. He was assisted by S. P.
Folsom, S. N. Lester, chainmen, L. Davis,
marker.
TownshiplO north, of range 3 west (aportionof
Clayton), was surveyed by Samuel C. Wiltse, in
tlie 3d quarter of 1S43, assisted by J. B. McFar-
din, W. T. Curtiss, chainmen, and E. D. Smith,
marker. The surface of this township says Mr.
Wiltse, "is uneven, the soil shallow. Is valua-
ble chiefly as a grazing district. Water excel-
lent and abundant."
Township 10 north, of range 4 west (parts of
Utica and Clayton), was surveyed by S. C.
Wiltse in the 3d quarter of 1843. He was assisted
J. B. McFardin,W. T. Curtiss, chainmen and E.
D. Smith, marker. The surveyor says: "Surface
of this township is hilly, timber and land of
little value." This township was re-surveyed by
Pizarro Cook Dec. 7, 1881— Jan. 13, 1882.
Township 10 north, of range 5 west (parts of
Utica and Seneca)was_'surveyed in the 3d quarter
of 1843, by A. L. Haren, assisted by Austin
Wilder, C. C. Carter, chainmen, C.Hamilton,
marker. This township is mostly broken, says
the surveyor, and hilly. The prairie in the south-
eastern part is rolling first-rate land. The soil
excepting on the hill sides is a rich sandy loam.
The hill sides are covered with loose rock and
flint. Township is exceedingly well watered,
on the west by streams running into tlie Missis-
sippi and on the east by streams running into
ihe Kickapoo.
Township 10 north, of range 6 wes.t (parts of
Freeman and Seneca) was surveyed in tlie 4th
quarter of 1843 by A. ]j. Haren, assisted by L.
Davis, S. N. Lester and S. P. Folsom. The sur-
veyor says: "Township is l)roken and hilly and
is mostly fertile, excepting the steep side iiills
and bluffs. Upland generally well timbered."
'i'ownship 11 north, of range 3 west (a part of
Seni ca) was surveyed in the 3d quarter of 1843,
hy W. Barrows deputy surveyor, assisted by Ed.
Fitzpatrick, W. V. Anderson, chainmen, and W.
P. Easley marker.
Township 11 north, of range 4 west (parts of
Clayton and Utica) was surveyed in the 3d
quarter of 1843, by S. C. Wiltse, assisted by J.
B. McFardin, W. T. Curtiss, chainmen, E. D.
Smith, marker.
Township 11 north, of range 5 west (parts of
Ulica and Freeman) was surveyed in the 3d
quarter of 1843, by A. L. Haren, assisted by
Austin Wilder, C. C. Carter, chainmen, Louis
Davis, marker. The surveyor says: "Soil most-
ly rolling, first-rate land or good second-rate
land. Soil sandy loam."
i :
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
261
Township 11 north, of range 6 west (a part
of Eastman) was surveyed in the 3d quarter of
1843, by A. L. Haren, deputy surveyor, assisted
by Austin Wilder, C. C. Carter, chainmen, and
Louis Davis, marker. "Surface extremely
broken and hilly."
Township 1 1 north, of range 7 west (a part of
Freeman) was surveyed in the 4th quarter of
1843, by A. L. Haren, deputy surveyor, assisted
by S. P. Folsom, S. N. Lester, chainmen, Louis
Davis, marker.
LAND DISTRICTS.
The first land offices in Wisconsin were es-
tablished under an act of Congress approved
June 26, 1834, creating additional land districts
in the States of Illinois and Missouri, and in
the territory north of the State of Illinois. The
first section provides "thai all that tract lying
north of the State of Illinois, west of Lake
Michigan, south and southeast of the Wisconsin
and Fox rivers, included in the present territory
of Michigan, xliall be divided by a north and
south line, drawn from the northern boundary
of Illinois along the range of the township line
west of Fort Winnebago to the Wisconsin
river, and to be called — the one on the west
side, the Wisconsin land district, and that on
the east side the Green Bay land district of the
territory of Michigan, which two districts shall
embrace the country north of said rivers when
the Indian title shall be extinguished, and the
Green Bay district may be divided so as to form
two districts, when the President shall deem it
proper;" and by section three of said act, the
President was authorized to appoint a register
and receiver for such office, as soon as a suffi-
cient number of townships are surveyed.
An act of Congress, approved June 15, 1836,
divided the Green Bay land district, as estab-
lished in 1834, "by a line commencing on the
western boundary of said district, and iiinning
thence east between townships 10 and 1 1 north,
to the line between ranges 17 and 18 east,
thence north between said ranges of townsliips
to tlic line between townships 12 and 13 north,
thence east between said townships 12 and 13
to Lake Michigan; and all the country bounded
north by the division line here described; south
by the base line, east by Lake Michigan and
west by the division line V)etweeii ranges 8 and
9 east," to be constituted a separate district,
and known as the "Milwaukee land'district."
It included the present counties of Racine,
Kenosha, Rock, Jefferson, Waukesha, Wal-
worth and Milwaukee and parts of Green, Dane,
Washington, Ozaukee, Dodge and Columbia.
An act was approved March 3, 1 847, creating an
additional land district in the territory. All
that portion of the public lands lying north and
west of the following boundaries, formed a dis-
trict to be kijown as the Chippewa land district:
Commencing at the Mississippi river on the line
between townships 22 and 23 north, running
thence east along said line to the fourth prin-
cipal meridian, thence north along said meridian
line to the line dividing townships 29 and 30,
thence east along such township line to the
Wisconsin river, thence up the main channel
of said river to the boundary line between the
State of Michigan and the territory of Wiscon-
sin. The Counties now included in this district
are: Pepin, Clark, Eau Claire. Dunn, Pierce,
St Croix, Polk, Barron, Burnett, Douglas, Bay-
field, Ashland, 'I'aylor, Chippewa and parts of
Buffalo, Trempealeau and Jackson.
An act of Congress, approved March 2, 1849,
changed the location of the land office in the
Chippewa district from the falls of St. Croix to
Stillwater, in the county of St. Croix, in the
proposed territory of Minnesota; and by section
two of the act, ui additional land office and dis-
trict was created, comprising all the lands in
Wisconsin not included in the districts of land
subject to sale at Green Bay, Milwaukee, or
Mineral Point, wliich was to be known as tlie
Western land district, and the President was
authorized to designate the site where the office
should be located. Willow river, now Hudson,
was selected. The district was usually known
as the St. Croix and Chippewa district, and in-
962
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
eluded St. Croix, La Pointe and parts of Chip-
pewa and Marathon counties.
By an act of Congress, approved July 30, 1 852,
so much of the public lands in Wisconsin as lay
within a boundary line commencing at the
southwest corner of township 15 north, of range
2 east of the fourth principal meridian, thence
running due east to the southeast corner of
township 15 north, of range 11 east, of the
fourth principal meridian, thence north along
such range line to the north line of the State of
Wisconsin, thence westwardly along said north
line to the line between ranges 1 and 2 east of
fourth principal meridian, thence south to the
place of beginning, were formed into a new
district, and known as the Stevens Point land
district, and a land office located at that place.
The boundaries enclosed the present counties of
Juneau, Adams, Marquette, Green Lake, Wau-
shara, Waupacca, Portage, Wood, Marathon,
Lincoln and Shawano.
WISCONSIN LAND DISTRICT.
It will be remembered that the Wisconsin
land district, by the organic act of the territory,
was to be extended north of the Wisconsin
river "when the Indian title should be extin-
guished." Now, as that event took place in
1837, it follows that when what is now Craw-
ford county was surveyed into townships by
the United States surveyors, it was in the Wis-
consin land district, the land office being at
Mineral Point. It was usually called the "Min-
eral Point land district." The surveys into sec-
tions and quarter sections were nearly all madi;
while in the same district; hence the early set-
tlers went to Mineral Point to enter their land.
LA CROSSE LAND DISTRICT.
An act of Congress, approved March 2, I 849,
formed the La Crosse laud district, including
within its limits the following territory :
"Commencing at a point where the line be-
tween townships 10 and 11 touches tlie Mis-
sissippi river, [in the present county of Craw-
ford,] and running thence due east of the fourth
principal meridian; thence north to the line be-
tween townships 14 and 15 north; thence east
to the southeast corner of township 15 north, or
range 1 east of the fourth principal meridian ;
thence north on the range line to the south line
of township 31 north; thence west on the line
between townships 30 and 31 to the Chippewa
river; thence down said river to the junction
with the Mississippi river, thence down said
river to the place of beginning."
This included, though it has since been les-
sened, so much of Crawford as lies north of the
line between townships 10 and 11, all of the
present county of Vernon, likewise that of La
Crosse, Monroe, BufEalo, Trempealeau, Eau
Claire, Clark and parts of Juneau and Chippe*a
counties.
By act of Congress, approved Feb. 24, 1855,
an additional district was formed of all that
portion of the Willow river land district lying
north of the line dividing townships 40 and 41,
to be called the Fond du Lac district, the office
to be located by the President as he might
from time to time direct. The present counties
of Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland and part of Bur-
nett were included within its boundaries.
By an act of Congress, approved March 3,
1857, so much of the districts of land subject to
sale at La Crosse and Hudson, in the State of
Wisconsin, contained in the. following bound-
aries, were constituted a, new district, to be
known as the Chippewa land district. North
of the lit.e dividing townships 24 and 25 north;
south of the line dividing townships 40 and 41
north; west of the line dividing ranges 1 and 2
east; and east of the line dividing ranges 11
and 12 west. The location of the office was to
be designated by the President as the public
interest might require. The present counties
of Chippewa, Taylor, Eau Claire and Clark
were in this district.
LA CROSSE LAND OFFICE.
There are at the present time six land offices
in the State. They are located at Menasha,
Falls of St. Croix, Wausau, La Crosse, Bayfield
and Eau Claire. By the provisions of law,
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
263
when the number of acres of land iu any one
district is reduced to 100,000 acres, subject to
])rivate entry, tlie secretary of tlie interior is
required to discontinue the office, and the lands
remaining unsold are transferred to the nearest
land office, to be tliere subject to sale. Under
this provision, Crawford county is in the La
Crosse laud office.
PIZAKRO cook'.s re-survey is ckawfori) county.
Under an act of Congress, of Feb. 9, 1880,
for the survey of all that portion of township 9
north, of range 4 west, lying east of the Kicka-
poo river in Crawford county, also township 10
north of the same range, east of that stream,
Pizarro Cook, county surveyor of Crawford
county, was employed by the United States to
do the work, under the direction of the com-
missioner of the general land office. The town-
ship lines had been run ; but the land had not
been "sectionized." However, as it bad origi-
nally been returned as hnving been run into
sections, the work of Mr. Cook is called a re-
survey. He began work Oct. 2'), 18f 1, and fin-
ished about the middle of January, 1882. Con-
gress appropriated, by the act already men-
tioned, the sum of $1,000 for the work. Mr.
Cook's bill amounted to -$984.18.
TUE LYON SURVEY.
When the United Stales surveyors crossed
the Wisconsin river to enter upon the survey,
in this region of public lands, they found, upon
their arrival, within what are now the limits of
Crawford county, certain tracts that were in
fact not United States lands and had already
been surveyed. Of course, these tracts were
not again surveyed. They were the private
land claims already treated of very fully in the
previous chapter, which were surveyed by Mr.
Lyon, deputy United States surveyor, in 1828.
264
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
CHAPTER IX.
PRIVATE LAND CLAIMS.
While it is ti'ue that every man's title to land
in Crawford county is derived from the United
States, as in other parts of Wisconsin, yet
these are not, all of them, thus derived, because
of purchases fi-om the general government. To
understand this anomolous state of things, and
why there are exceptions to the general rule, it
must be explained that there were residents
occupying tracts within this county so long
before the United States had actual possession
of it, as to entitle them, in strict justice, to be
considered as the real owners; and, as we shall
soon see, they were, in many cases, adjudged to
be the owners — not by purchase from the United
States, but by. occupation at a certain period.
In short, these certain individuals, or their
legal representatives, had their lands confirmed
to them under certain acts of Congress ; and
that confirmation started their respective titles
from the United States as fully and oomjiletely
as though they had been purchasers of their re-
spective tracts.
Mention is made in the ch.apter on the mili-
tary occupation of the county, of evictions hav-
ing frequently been made, by the commanders
of Fort Crawford, of settlers on the "prairie."
This caused the people to appeal to the Uniled
States government for protection in the p^sses-
sion of their property. Congress passed an act
for their relief, under which the secretary of
Michigan territory, the register and receiver of
the Detroit land -office, were commissitmed to
examine and report upon the matter. Ti e pro
vision of the Jay treaty of I'TOG, by which the
inhabitants of Prairie du Chien were received
into citizenship and guaranteed protection in
the possession of their lands and other property,
was made the basis of the settlement, and the
commissioners were empowered to confirm the
claims to all farm and village lots that had been
continuously occupied since the treaty went into
operation. Isaac Lee was sent from Detroit to
collect testimony during the summer of 1820.
In addition to the claims continually occupied
since 11%%, a number which at that time were
occupied as a village common, but were subsi-
quently appropriated by individuals, were re-
ported favorably. The evicted persons were
restored to their rights. This settlement was
co^ifirmed by Congress, and the people of the
Prairie who had hitherto been compelled to
rest content witn mere occupation, were guaran-
teed a reliable title. Some effort was n'ade by
United States officers to interrupt the confirma-
tion in a few instances by representing that
claimanls had taken up arms for Great Britain
(luring the War of 1812, and thereby incurred
the penalty of treason. Delay was thus occa-
sioned in some instances, but the government
wisely concluded to overlook the offense, in-
asmuch as they had been made citizens without
their own volition, and had been drawn into the
hostile attitude without choice of their own,
through the peculiar circumstances of their
situation, and all the claims were eventually
settled without discrimination upon that poitit.
The village of Prairie du Cliien also entered a
claim to an additional tract extending to the
Kickapoo river, based on the .Sinclair [uirchase
and a subsequent ratification by the Fox In-
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
266
dians at Caliokia , but the United States refused
to recognize tlie validity of the purcliase hy
Sinclair, as the territory was beyond the juris-
diction of the British crown at the time, and
denied this additional claim.
"At the session of Congress of 1819-20,"
says Mr. Lockwood, "an act was passed to take
testimony relative to the private land claims at
Sault St. Marys, Mackinaw, Green Bay and
Prairie du Chien, that were reserved to subjects
of the British government under Jay's treaty;
and in the fall of 1820, commissioners were
dispatched to the different places to take testi-
mony. A Mr. -Lee came to Prairie du Chien.
The most of those claims at Prairie du Chien
were found to come under Jay's treaty, but
there were several that wanted a year or more
of coming under it. These facts being reported
to Congress, they at a subsequent session passed
an act giving to every settler who was in pos-
session of land at the date of the declaration of
war in 1812 against Great Britain, and who had
continued to submit to the laws of the United
States, the lands he claimed.
"It is a matter of history, that the British
took Mackinaw and subjected its dependences
to their government, including all the afore-
named places, and the most part of these claim-
ants were ignorant Canadians and supposed
themselves British subjects, not aware that if
they did not within a year choose, as stipulated
in the treaty, to continue Hritish subjects, they
became American citizens; and when the Brit-
ish government took military possession of the
country during the War of 1812-15, the mili-
tary officers in command considered them as
British subjects, and ordered them to do mili-
tary duty as militia. Tliey were a comjuered
people, and feeling that they owed no allegiance
to the United States, took up arms in obedience
to the orders of the British oflicers. There were
some among them intelligent enough to know
their position, but had they claimed to be
American citizens and refused to take up arms,
surrounded as they were by hostile Indians,
they would not have been safe; especially as
the British officers did not believe in a British
subject expatriating himself, and of course
there was no law of the United States in the
•onquered country to submit to. Notwith-
standing all these circumstances being known
to the officers of the army stationed at Sault
St. Marys under Maj. Cutler, they got up a
remonstrance to the government, representing
these people as traitors; inconsequence of which
the patents were delayed, to the great annoy-
ance and sometimes to the great injury of the
claimants."
the cosimissioners acts of qtjai.ificatiojt.
Territory of Michigan, }
District of Detroit, f
We, William Woodbridge, Secretary of the
Territory of Michigan, Peter Audrain, Register,
and Jonathan Kearsley, Receiver of the Land
Office of the Land District of Detroit, do, and
each of us doth solemnly swear, that we will
impartially exercise and discharge the duties
imposed upon us by an act of Congress, entitled
"An act regulating the grants of land in the
Territory of Michigan," i)assed the 3d day of
March, 1807; and also "An act to revive the
powers of the commissioners for ascertaining
and deciding on claims to land in the District
of Detroit, and for settling the claims to land at
Green B.ay and Prairie des Chiens, in the Terri-
tory of Michigan," passed the 11th day of May,
1820. So help us God.
William Woodbridge,
Peter Audrain,
J. Kearsley.
Territory of Michigan, ]
County of Wayne. \ *''"*'^=
Personally appeared before me, John McDon-
ell, one of the Associate Justices of the Court
of the county of Wayne, and Territory afore-
said, William Woodbridge, Peter Audrain, and
Jonathan Kearsley, Esquires, wlio took and
subscribed the foregoing oath in my presence.
'/66
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
Given under my hand, at the city of Detroit,
the 8th of August, 1820.
John McDonell,
Associate Justice of the Court of the
County of Wayne, Territory of Mich.
Territory of Michigan, ) ^
T\ T-w ■ to-wit:
District of Detroit )
I, Henry B. Brevoort, Register of the Land
Office for the District of Detroit, do solemnly
swear that I will impartially exercise and dis-
charge the duties imposed on me by an act of
Congress entitled "An act regulating the grants
of land in tlie Territory of Michigan," passed
on the 3d day of March, 1807; and also "An act
to revive the powers of the commissioners for
ascertaining and deciding on claims to land in
the District of Detroit, and for settling the
claims to land at Green Bay and Prairie des
Chiens, in the Territory of Michigan," passed
the 1 1th day of May, 1820. So help me God.
Henry B. Beevooet,
Register.
Territory of Michigan, )
Land District of Detroit. [
Personally appeared before me, this 14th day
of May, A. D. 1821 [1820] the above-named
Henry B. Brevoort, Esquire, Register of the
Land District of Detroit, who took and sub-
scribed the above written affidavit in my pres-
ence.
Given under my hand the day and year above
written.
George McDocgali,,
Justice of the Peace,
County of Wayne, M. T.
INSTRUCTIONS TO ISAAC LEE, AGENT.
The following are the instructions to the Agent
appointed to receive claims and take evidence
concerning land claims at Green Bay and Prai-
rie des Chiens.
Territory of Michigan, }
Land District of Detroit, \
August 8th, 1821 [1820.]
Sir: — You are hereby notified of your appoint-
ment (with the approbation of the Secretary of
the Treasury), and in copformity with the pro-
visions of the act entitled "An act to revive the
powers of the Commissioners for ascertaining
and deciding on claims to land in the District of
Detroit, and for settling the claims to land at
Green Bay and Prairie des Chiens, in the Terri-
tory of Michigan," passed the 11th of May, 1820,
as agent for the purpose of ascertaining the
titles and claims to land at the settlements of
Green Bay and Prairie des Chiens.
The Secretary of the Treasury has given gen-
eral directions that you proceed, with as little
delay as possiblo, taking the various laws which
relate to your duties as your guide in the exe-
cution of the trust reposed.
The evidence of titles and claims which it is
presumed you will receive, are such as are
founded upon legal grant made or authorized
prior to the treaty of Paris (Feb. 10, 176.3), by
the French government, or subsequent to that
period and prior to the treaty of peace between
the LTnited States and Great Britain (Sept. 3,
1783), or such as may be deducible from some
act of Congress .
The whole system heretofore applicable to
the Land District of Detroit, is presumed to
have been reinstated in its full extent, except so
far as controlled by the late law, and made
specially applicable to the settlements of Green
Bay and Prairie des Chiens. You will therefore
not fail to notice that occupancy and possession
of tracts within either of those settlements, be-
tween the 1st day of July, 1796, and the 3d day
of March, 1807, by the present claimants, or
those under whom they may successively make
claim, are, by the act of the 3d of March, 18Q7,
recognized as conferring just claims for confirm-
ation. And you will also see, by reference to
the 4th section of the act of the 25th of April,
1808, that so much of the act of March 3d, 1807,
as limited the claim to one tract, is repealed.
These references arc given you that your
records may not be needlessly burdened: it is
nevertheless believed that you cannot of riglit
refuse to receive and record any evidence of
title, of whatsoever nature that maybe offered,
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
267
for the law clearly contemplates that the power
of rejecting, as well as confirming all claims,
resides in the first instance, in the commission-
ers, and not in the agent.
It is presumed to he the intention of the law
that all the evidence of title and claims shall
be recorded in the English language ; yet, it is
recommended in all cases of doubtful or tech-
nical expressions, that you preserve the original
expression used ; also, in all cases where it is
desired by the claimants, that yoi. record also
true copies of entire documents in their original
language. After being recorded with every
proof of authentication which is offered, it is
considered, that the claimants will be entitled
to receive again of you their deeds or other
documents. The originals, it is believed, are not
required to be brought here, unless by the con-
sent and desire of the claimants.
A doubt occurs how far it may be competent
for you to aihninistcr oaths ; that power is not
expressly given you by law ; it is there given
only to those who have the right to examine and
decide. Such implied ]>ovvers only can be sup-
posed to have been given you as arc really nec-
e'ssary to enable you conveniently to receive
the notices and record the evidences of the
titles and claims ad<luced. The commissioners
do not deem it necessary, at this time, to ex-
press an opinion on that point, as they are ad-
vised that you will receive commissions as
justice of the peace for each of the two coun-
ties of Crawford and IJrown, before your de-
parture, in virtue of which, under the territo-
rial laws, you will be qualified to administer all
necessary oaths ; and take all proper affidavits.
As it is feared (from the characteristic want
of caution of the Canadian French, as it regards
the presentation of their title deeds) that most
of their claims will be attempted to be supported
by proving continued possession, this proof
will, of course, consist principally of affidavits
tobetakenatthe time of preferring their claims,
it is specially recommended to you that you
ntlend whenever practicable, per8on:^lly, to the
taking of such affidavits ; that you have special
regard to the prevention of all attempts at de-
ception ; and that you certify them in both
your capacities of agent and justice of the
peace. This form of authentication must re-
move all doubt as to your competency to ad-
minister oaths and will be particularly conven-
ient also, as it will enable you to draw the affi-
davits in the English language.
It is not practicable for the commissioners to
prescribe the period of time which, by your
notices, you will assign at Green Bay and
Prairie des Chiens, respectively, for receiving
the evidences of claims and titles, The law re-
quires reasonable notice ; what may be deemed
reasonable notice must depend upon the nt.mlier
of claimants, and the remoteness of relative
situations You must judge of it.
Though the settlementof Green Bay is spoken
of by Charlevoix as early as 1720, yet it is be-
lieved the whole number of claimants there
cannot exceed 150. The settlement of Prairie
des Chiens is supposed to have been some thirty
years later, though the number of claimants is
believed to be considerably gi-ealer ; but in re-
spect to both, it is said the settlements are
quite compact. All the traditionary or other
information which can be procured by you con-
cerning the origin and history of these settle-
ments, would be very desirable, and may be of
much use in the ultimate investigation of their
land claims.
It is expected that from the time of your ar-
rival at Green Bay, and entering upon the du-
ties devolving upon you, you will keep accurate
minutes of all your official proceedings.
William WoonBRiDGK, Sec'y of Mich.,
Peter Aupraix, Register,
J. Kearsley, Receiver,
Commissioners.
To Isaac Lee, Esq., Agent.
qualikioation of agent.
Territory of Miciiigax, )
Land District of Detroit. )
I, Isaac Lee, of the said Territory, having
been ajjpointed agent for the purpose of ascer-
268
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
taining the titles and claims to land at the set-
tlements of Green Bay and Prairie des Chieiis,
do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and
impartially discharge the duties imposed upon
me by tlie act entitled " An act to revive the
powers of the commissioners for ascertaining
and deciding on claims to land in the District of
Detroit, and for settling the claims to land at
Green Bay and Prairie des Chiens, in the Ter-
ritory of Michigan," according to the best of
my ability and understanding. So help me
God. Isaac Lee.
Sworn to and subscribed before us, this 8th
day of August, 1820.
William WooDimiDGE, Sec'y of Mich.,
Petee Aui'RAiN, Register,
J. Kearsley, Receiver,
Commissioners.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF AGENT.
To the Commissioners of the Land District
of Detroit :
Gentlemex : — On my arrival at Green Bay,
on the 24th of August, A. D. 1820, I found that
the principal land claimants were absent. I
gave personal notice at every house of my ar-
rival and business, and embraced the first op-
portunity of a passage to Prairie des Chiens,
stating to the inhabitants of Green bay that I
should return and attend to their land claims in
October.
On my arrival at Prairie des Chiens, October
2, [1820]. I gave personal notice at each liouse
of my arrival and business there, and immedi-
ately commenced to take testimony, which I
completed, and took my departure for Green
Bay, October 24th, at which place I arrived No-
vember 16th, and found myself obliged to re-
main there during the winter season. The
principal part of my report is contained in the
records already before you.
As to the traditionary account of the first
settlement of that country, and the purchase of
the lands from the natives, I refer you to the
depositions before you, and [to] a letter from
Matthew Irwin, Esq., factor at Green Bay, to
Gov. Cass. I was requested by the inhabitants
of both Green Bay and Prairie des Chiens, to
represent to you the situation of those whose
claims would not come within the present law,
with a request that you would oflicially repre-
sent to the general govcnment, their situation,
and endeavor to procure the passage of a law
more favorable than the existing law ; as they
find it difficult to prove a continual occupation
for twenty-five years. The records before you
contain an account of every kind of claim that
came to my knowledge in the country.
With respect, yours, etc.,
Isaac Lee, Agent.
FARM LOTS CONFIRMED.
Theheirs of James Aird .Farm Lot No. 1
Cliailes Menard, for Mariuuic Labuche
Menard his wife do 2
.Joseph Rolette, in behalf of Jean P.
Rolette do 3
Jo<c'ph Rolette do 4
Theheirs of Felix Mercicr do 5
Jean Fisher Rolette do 6
Magdeline Gauthier do 7
Dennis Courtois do 8
John Simpson do 9
Joseph Rolette do .10
Benjamin Cadotte do 11
Michael Brisbois do 13
Tlie heirs of Claude Gagnier do 13
Fiancoif^ Chenneviere do 14
The heir of James Aird do 15
Augustus Hebeit do 16
Jean Baptiste Albert do 17
The heirsof John Campbell do 20
Aiitoine Lachapelle, for his wife Pnlise
Lachapelle do 25
Andrew Basin do 29
Pierre Lariviere do 30
Julian Lariviere do 31
farm lots not confirmed.
The heirs of James Aird Farm Lot No. 18
Joseph Rolette do 19
Francois Vertefeuille do 21
Augustus Hebert do 33
The heirs of Pierre Jaudron do 23
James McFarlane do 24
Julian Lariviere do 26
John Simpson do 27
Joseph Rolette ,. do 28
HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.
269
Jean Marie Quere Farm Lot No. 33
Chaili's Lapointe do 33
Pierre Lessani,. .. . do 34
Stninge Poze [Power?] do 35
Francois Ijajiointe. Sr do 36
Francois Lapoinle, Jr.. do 37
Micliacl Lapuinie do 38
Pierre Lcssard do 39
Tliercse Lapoin'e • do 40
Chirles Liiiioinle d- 41
Joseph Lcmrie , do 42
Thomas McNair do 43
MAIN VII,L.\OE LOTS CONFIRMED .
Michael Biisbois Village Lot No. 1
Michricl Britbois do 2
Nicholas Boilvin do 3
La Framboise do 4
Wilfred Owms do 5
Jenn Bapti>te Coraii do 7
Jei.n F Rolelie do 8
Wilfred O A ens do 12
Nicholas Boilvin do 13
American Fur Comiiany do 14
Michael [}' isbois do 1.5
Francois BiiulheHi' r do 16
Joseph Uok'l 1 do 17
The heirs of James iV id do 18
M.irshal Mann do 19
Chirlcs Lapointe do 20
Joseph Rolett do 21
.MAIN VILLAGE LOTS NOT CONFIRMED.
Jaines McFarlane Village LotNo. 22
Antoine Lachapelle do 23
Fr.mcoisGalorneau do 24
Joseph Crete .'. do 25
No chi'mant do 26
Wilfred Owens do 27
Oliver Cherrier do 28
Angusiiis Roe do 29
Diinoau Ciiupbell o 80
Pierre Lessartl do 81
Thomas McNiiir do 32
Etienne Dyanue do 83
Josep Rolette do 34
John W. Johnson do 35
Theodore Lupin do 36
Pierr.' Courville do 37
nrPEU VILLAGE LOTS CONFIRMED.
Michael Brisbois Village Lot No. 1
Benjamin Cadotte do 2
Pierre Charlefou do 3
F.aucois Verefeuille do 4
Alexander Duiuonl do 5
Augustus Ilebert Village Lot No. 6
Jose